Charity trims a cut above the rest

A new haircutting service offering cuts for $2 has opened at Redcliffe.

The brainchild of Tracey Brown, Gold Coin Cuts sits within the Gold Coin Op-Shop on Sutton St.

Tracey, who founded the Gold Coin Heroes Foundation, says that last year she spent $500 raised through the op shop paying for people doing it tough to have their hair cut at local salons.

This year, she opened her own service, paying local mobile hairdressers to occupy a chair within the shop a day a week offering $2 cuts to patrons.

Supporting local hairdressers

“I rang every mobile hairdresser in the area and asked them for one day a week to cut as many people’s hair as they can,” Tracey says.

In the first week of opening, 46 people were treated to a trim.

The hairdressing area, staffed by insured and trained hairdressers, has three chairs available.

Tracey says she hopes more hairdressers will be willing to join the service.

She is adamant the service will not take custom from other hairdressers because many of the people who use it can’t afford to visit a traditional salon.

The service offers trims, but does not provide full-service blow-drying, colouring or restyling.

Restoring dignity

Diane Shepherd, who works with Tracey, says the concept is about restoring dignity for people who otherwise can’t afford to have their hair cut.

“People can come in to get a trim for a job interview – to tidy up and feel good about themselves,” Diane says.

“People are loving it.”

Money raised through the venture is channelled back into the community, with the Gold Coin Op-Shop also home to $2 coffees, teas and hot chocolate made by baristas at the Gold Coin Cafe.

Free bread

It offers free loaves of bread donated by Woolworths at Margate and Redcliffe, as well as free hygiene products such as sanitary products for women and continence pants.

The haircutting service is available Tuesday-Thursday, 9am-3pm at the op-shop, 142 Sutton St, Redcliffe.

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