By HOLLY LENNON

A GLASGOW hairdressers will be coming together to give hunger the chop through an annual charity event.

U Concept, based in the city centre and West End, founded Hairstylists Against Hunger in a bid to help replenish the stocks in local foodbanks.

Instead of charging for haircuts, the team of stylists will be working for free in return for food donations.

This year’s event will be taking place in the city centre branch of U Concept and Men International on Oswald Street on Sunday February 5 from 10am to 4pm.

Throughout the day, all staff from the branches will be coming together and giving their own time to offer their service.

Creative director and manager of the west end branch, Emma Diamond, said: “We also encourage other salons to get involved in hosting their own events in their local area.

“Last year we had four other salons participate which was great.

“We held our first event in January of last year which was a huge success – the foodbank were extremely grateful to receive well over 100 bags full of donations at a time their stocks are lowest.

“Our appointment books are already filling up for this year.

“We will have staff available for walk in’s on the day so we expect a great turnout again.

“This will be the exact same format as last year, free hair cuts or just styling, for men, women and children in exchange for food donations.”

Emma explains that they were inspired to launch the project after being made aware of the escalation of people dependant on foodbanks in order to feed themselves and their families.

She said: “Instead of doing a conventional fundraiser we wanted to encourage customers to purchase food for people they don’t know.

“We hope this will help them feel more of a personal connection with the people that they’re helping.

“We’ve even had people who can’t make the event on Sunday dropping off food donations ahead of the event, which is lovely to see.

“We are planning on making this an annual event, following our second Hairdressers Against Hunger on Sunday 5.”