THE Mount Salon in High Street, Wellington, has spent the last year raising money for their salon charity, The Meningitis Research Foundation.

The local salon held a series of different fundraising events throughout 2019 and the final total raised has reached a massive £8524.49. Salon owners Alison Cooney and Carly Meecham selected this charity in remembrance of their cousin Julie Perkins who died suddenly of this disease in 2018.

Fundraising started with a Crystall Ball which was held at Woodlands Castle in Ruishton to celebrate the salons 15th birthday last March. One hundred and 40 guests enjoyed a black tie dinner and dancing, and many local businesses contributed to an auction on the night. Raffles were also held throughout the year, including an Easter Chocolate tree and a MoroccanOil gift hamper at Christmas.

Last May, Alison set off on an epic adventure by walking the entire South West Coast Path, Britain’s longest national trail in just 30 days. The 630 mile journey started in Minehead, heading through Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and finishing at Poole in Dorset.

Friends and family supported Alison by walking sections of the route with her and by providing overnight accommodation and sponsorship. Her daily video diary (youtube/alisoncooney) became must-see viewing with lots of salon friends and clients following the adventure with her and sending messages of support.

The Meninigitis Research Foundation is an incredible charity that works towards ‘A world free from meningitis and scepticaemia’.

Alison told the Wellington Weekly News: “Julie sadly died three days after saying she felt she had the flu”. Around 1000 people die every day from this disease and so many people have shared their own stories of how they have been affected by this disease.

Alison and Carly would like to say a big thank you to all the organisations who donated to the raffles, and thank you to everybody who made contributions to the charity through our donations page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising /alisoncooney