Gareth Smith, 26, hair stylist from Desired in Beverley has a major passion for fashion and making people look beautiful.
This April however, he is taking part in an event that neither he, nor anyone who knows him could have imagined him doing – the London Marathon which he is running in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Society.
When his Mum’s best friend lost both her husband and daughter within months of each other, after they suffered from the disease, Gareth knew he wanted to do something to help the charity that supported them and raise as much money as possible, so he decided to change his whole lifestyle and is now in training for his marathon event.
In order to raise the £3,000 required to enter the London Marathon for the Motor Neurone Disease Society, Gareth is asking fellow fashion lovers from around East Yorkshire to come along to a fashion show at Hull’s Guild Hall on Monday 28th February. Gareth is using connections he has made from his years in hairdressing and fashion from around the UK to make the event one to remember.
“The salon is giving me full support and our fantastic stylists will be doing the models’ hair. Make-up will be done by Laura Clark who works with me on of my professional photo shoots.”
“On the night the models will be wearing exciting new brands such as Emba Creative, The New Vintage Clothing Company, Kennedi exclusive ladies wear and Niche to showcase the spring and summer collections.”
Since qualifying 9 years ago Gareth has competed in the L’Oreal Colour Trophy on three occasions and was been placed second in the UK. He also competed for the ‘ghd Young Artistic Team’ and worked as the hair stylist on the Channel 4 TV show Property Ladder on a Channel 4 short film plus a variety of shoots for magazine Esquire. At work he has a keen interest in fashion and bridal work and constantly looks for new areas in which to expand his skills.
“I know that with everyone involved this fashion show will be totally amazing. Motor Neurone is such a devastating and cruel disease and I want to raise as much money as possible. I’m really excited about running the marathon, hard to believe I would feel like this as I have never been sporty, certainly not at school where I started smoking at age 12. I couldn’t even run to the end of my street this time last year but I have quit smoking and my training plan is going really well. I’m pleased to say I run now rather than jog. I’m following a controlled diet which involves eating lots of carbohydrates and I train most days, doing a long run on a Sunday. My life is basically hairdressing and run, run, run, I absolutely love it.”
Tickets for the show are £10 and on sale right now from Desired Hair Salon, Kennedi and Inspirations in Beverley.
For enquiries, please contact Gareth on gstar68@hotmail.com
By Jess Clark
