Kirkcaldy salon owner Ronnie Marshall has stepped in with support for one of Scotland’s biggest country singing stars, Jackie Storrar, after her recent emotional revelation about her battle with breast cancer. Over recent months Jackie, who returned recently to her home in Fife, has had to deal with not just the frightening diagnosis but also the upset of losing her lovely red hair. Now Ronnie, owner of Byron Hairdressing, has helped personalise wigs for Jackie to wear any time, including on stage later this month for her gigs at Pancake Place and Beveridge Park Hotel. Both gigs are in aid of Maggie’s Fife, the charity Byron has supported for more than 10 years.
‘Jackie’s comments about losing her hair being the worst part of her treatment struck such a chord with me,’ said Ronnie, who has provided a supportive and sensitive service for clients affected by cancer since he opened his salon 18 years ago. ‘During my career I have seen too many clients lose their hair and their confidence through cancer treatment and I have always helped them choose the right wig and personalised it for them,’ he added.
Jackie has now joined Ronnie and his team to help with their own annual fundraiser for Maggie’s, on Sunday 14 November, by coming along and drawing the winning raffle ticket. Every year the team gives up one of their Sundays to offer up appointments, donating all the money raised to Maggie’s, which provides a unique and innovative programme of information and support to people living with cancer, their families and their friends. Over the past 10 years Byron has raised more than £10,000. Local businesses have once again been overwhelmingly generous with their donations for the raffle. On offer are vouchers from Bliss Beauty, Charlie Reid Travel, Enid Hutt Gallery, Rouge Boutique, Canterbury Bells, Henderson, Hearts Desire, a bottle of whisky from Glass Wine Merchant and a year’s free hairdressing at Byron, while haircare giant L’Oréal has donated goodie bags for every client.
‘The image we have of people with cancer is of bald heads, and although that is a reality, it doesn’t help,’ said Jackie. ‘It’s really scary and you can’t help feeling self-conscious. Linking up with Ronnie is such a positive experience because he understands, but he also helped me feel and look better. It’s great to be able to help him in return with the Byron fundraiser. I’m delighted to be involved.’
Although the occasion has a serious undertone, the day, now an annual event, is always full of fun, with the team glammed up and serving fizzy wine, canapés and the salon’s famous pink fairy cakes, and providing the superb hairdressing skills the salon is famed for. Appointments are always snapped up quickly.
To book an appointment or buy a raffle ticket and help support Maggie’s, call Byron on 01592 643700.
