A HAIRDRESSER who has raised thousands for charity has dedicated the gong she received in the Queen’s birthday honours to family and friends.

Geraldine Wilson, 59, who has owned Geraldine’s Hair Fashions in The Broadway, Debden, for 30 years, was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM), which was reintroduced this year.

“I got a letter and I was absolutely shocked,” she said. “It’s an honour, but there must be a lot of people who do the same thing as me.

“I couldn’t take it just for me, because without the customers, my girls and my family, I couldn’t do it.”

Her husband, Roger, counts the money raised by the raffles, quiz nights and other charity events and her son Simon and daughter Jenny also help raise money.

“Jenny just ran the London Marathon and raised nearly £2,000 for Help the Hospices,” she said. “I think I’ve passed it onto her.”

She and staff at her salon have raised nearly £7,000 for St Clare Hospice over the years, as well as supporting many other good causes, including Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s disease charities and local clubs.

“We do a bit for everyone when it’s needed,” she said. “My friends tell me I’m a very good delegator. If you can bake a cake, or run, I know about it.”

She was nominated by traders in Debden, including grocer Peter Sparks and Town Centre Partnership chairman Dave Stannard.

“Peter Sparks started it all and said it was the best kept secret in Epping Forest,” she added.

“A lot of the fundraisers wrote letters and everywhere I raised funds for wrote letters and I see them all – I can’t believe, as a hairdresser, I didn’t know.”

Mrs Wilson started working at the hairdresser’s at 13 as a Saturday girl and bought the salon when she was 29.

“I love what I do,” she said. “You do get to know a lot of people in the area and people come pretty regularly.

“A lot of people pop in for a cup of tea and a chat and it’s a community shop and it’s known for that.”

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