A PROJECT to send school pupils with learning difficulties to Lapland UK has received a boost after an Ebbw Vale hairdressers joined the fundraising campaign.

A group of parents are hoping to raise £10,000 to send 102 pupils from Pen-y-Cwm special school in Beaufort to Lapland UK during the festive period this year.

Lapland UK, in Berkshire, has an elf-village, ice rink, a toy factory, reindeer, “Narnia-like scenery” and the chance to meet the man Santa Claus himself - without the costs of travelling abroad.

Pen-y-Cwm School is a special school for pupils aged three to 19 years who have a range of severe, and - in a number of cases - multiple learning difficulties.

The pupils’ parents have already raised nearly £3,000 so far following events which they have organised at the beginning of the year including bake sales, a psychic night and talent shows.

More recently, nine-year-old Abertillery Primary School pupil Gracie-Jean Summerhill had her long hair cut for the project while a family fun day at Bedwellty House and Park in Tredegar raised more than £500.

In just three days 100 tickets for the family fun day sold out and punters enjoyed a disco, face painting, balloon modelling, a photo booth and a raffle as well as visits from Mr Tumble and Mickey Mouse.

And now McCarthy’s Hair Salon in Libanus Road, Ebbw Vale, is joining the campaign and has pledged to donate all proceeds from haircuts on Sunday, April 19 to the project.

From 10am the staff will be giving up their free time and charging a minimum fee for haircuts.

Salon director, Michelle England, said: “We’d love to see some new faces come through the Ebbw Vale salon doors on our fundraising day and get the friends and family of the project involved.”

Appointments for the fundraising event will be walk-in and subject to availability. Alternatively, anybody interested can book through calling Michelle on 07853314389.