Darwin Shopping Centre’s K2 salon proprietor Phillip Minton and hair stylist Georgina Hughes, 23, offered free styling sessions to show goers for a minimum donation of just £5 and raked in more than £600 for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital-based Lingen Davies Cancer Fund.

It‘s the third time Phillip and his staff have attended the show and raised cash for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund which aims to improve cancer services for the relief of Shropshire and Mid-Wales patients.

Phillip, who has run hair salons in Shrewsbury for 42 years including K2 in the Darwin Centre for the last nine years, says this year was by far the busiest yet.

He said: “We did the same in 2010 and 2011 but those events were certainly not as busy. Lingen Davies Cancer Relief does a really important job in making things a lot more comfortable for many cancer patients.

“Many of our clients at K2 have been treated for cancer themselves and they always tell us about the great work the Fund does in supporting them at what is bound to be a difficult time.

“That is one of the reasons why we are always keen to do our bit in supporting such a great local good cause.”

He added: “I went along with stylist Georgina Hughes as well as a couple of trainees. We certainly had to work flat out particularly on the Saturday. It really was incredibly busy.

“We raised more than £600. In fact the exact total was £649 and a few pence which I am very pleased with. It’s hard work but an enjoyable couple of days too.

“It was a thrill handing over the cheque to the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and we will try to fundraise for them again in the future.”

Georgina, who has worked at K2 for seven years after starting out as a Saturday girl, says it was really hard work but she thoroughly enjoyed the event.

She said: “We met some lovely people and everyone seemed delighted in the styling work we did for them. On the Friday it wasn’t quite as busy but on the Saturday I don’t think we had a minute. We even had a queue at one stage!

“To raise more than £600 was amazing and I’m thrilled to have had the chance to help. The Lingen Davies Appeal is such a worthwhile and good cause. I’m just delighted to have been able to do my bit to help.”

Lingen Davies Cancer Fund Fundraising Manager, Louise Davies, says she is thrilled that Phillip and Georgina worked so hard on the Appeal’s behalf to raise such an amazing amount of money.

She said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that K2 chose to support us once again. Their continued support is really important and welcome. To raise more than £600 in such a short time is amazing.

“I’d like to thank them and pay tribute to all their hard work and also thank the numerous people who made donations following their hair styling sessions.”

“As a charity we have been committed, since 1979, to buying new equipment and fund new buildings to be used in support of patients requiring cancer care.”

She added: “The charity changed its name to the Lingen Davies Cancer Relief Fund in 1994 in recognition of the hard work and dedication of previous mayor of Shrewsbury Bernard Lingen and local accountant Frank Davies.

“They had initially launched the Cobalt Unit Trust Fund to raise funds to build and equip a new Radiotherapy Department at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, so people with cancer in Shropshire and Mid Wales could receive their treatment and care locally.

“Since 1979, the charity continued with its commitment by raising funds to provide new buildings and equipment to give a more comfortable and suitable environment for local cancer patients.

“In April 2013 we changed the name of the charity to the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. It’s our aim to continue investing the millions of pounds we raise to improve the facilities for local cancer patients.”