A free wig bank has been launched by a Whitehaven businesswoman, who suffers from alopecia, in a bid to help others

Vanessa Cowan, of Glamorous Butterfly, says she is privileged to be a wig specialist and wants to do all she can to help others.

She set up her business last year, and is now launching a new scheme to supply free wigs to people suffering from hair loss who are unable to fund their own.

The 40-year-old said: “I wanted to create something positive in loving memory of my beautiful mum Brenda and two aunts whom I lost to cancer when I was quite young, and this is the only way I knew how.”

Vanessa was diagnosed with alopecia three years ago. She found there was very little to no help or support in West Cumbria and decided to open a salon that would cater to people suffering from medical hair loss.

Following her diagnosis, she trained to become a hairdresser. She then attended the mynewhair charity training, founded and inspired by famous hairstylist Trevor Sorbie. It focused on customising wigs for people who have experienced medical hair loss.

Vanessa said: "The mynewhair course taught me so much, and is invaluable to me. Meeting Trevor Sorbie and lead Trainer Darren Stuart was so inspiring. I’ve now been working with the charity for a year.”

The mynewhair charity has a national support network of independent salons and trained hair professionals who customise wigs for their clients.

While the wig bank is open to children and women worldwide who can't afford to fund their own wigs and hair pieces, it is primarily aimed to those within the UK.

There is a small means tested application process but after that the wigs are totally free.

Though the bank heavily relies on donations, they already have a mixture of new and nearly new reconditioned wigs that have been provided by Vanessa and through donations.

Glamorous Butterfly also offers a free cutting and styling service for wigs from the wig bank. The salon is also now featured on the approved list of wig suppliers for North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.

To find out more about Glamorous Butterfly’s wig bank visit www.glamorousbutterfly.co.uk or email Vanessa at vanessa@glamorousbutterfly.co.uk.