FARMERS struggling through drought will now have extra support, with three entrepreneurs rallying together to offer a helping hand.
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The brainchild of Main Hair Designs owner Natalie Meredith, the local resident joined forces with Gloria Jeans franchisee partner Adam Hayes and hairdresser Jess Bell for the initiative.
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The concept is simple, the three business minds are offering free haircuts and coffee to local farmers and their families stricken by drought.
For Ms Meredith, it is a way of doing her part for struggling local farmers.
She said her own experiences owning horses and seeing the dryness of the land influenced her to come up with the idea to help.
“My husband and I have jobs in town, so we can support ourselves but seeing how dry it is and knowing how bad off the farmers are. We kept wondering what we could do,” Ms Meredith said.
“We saw a salon in Tamworth do the same thing and decided to give it a try as well. I spoke to Adam at Gloria Jeans, and he said he’d come on board and do free coffees.
“We hope this makes people forget for the time they are here and relax for an hour of their day.”
The offer will run every Tuesday through August from 9am to 12pm at Armidale’s Gloria Jeans and Main Hair Design salon.
Senior stylist Ms Bell said it was important for everyone to chip in to help.
“It’s heartbreaking seeing what people are going through,” she said.
Ms Meredith and Mr Hayes hope to recruit other local businesses in offering services and assistance to drought affected community members.
“We are hoping we can reach the city, and they understand how important this is,” Ms Meredith said.
“If we can help in any way, we would like too. We have a donation box as well.”
Mr Hayes said the business owners wanted to raise awareness about the big dry across the state.
“These people are our friends, family and customers and we want to support them. It’s a small gesture but it’s a sign of thanks of what they [farmers] actually do,” he said.
“It’s about trying to give back to the community.”