A hairdresser who offered free haircuts to help families struggling with the cost of kids going back to school has been stunned with the reaction to her generous offer.
Kind-hearted Sinead McNiven from Maddiston, Falkirk, got such a big response to her idea that she has now got two more volunteer hairdressers to help meet the demand.
Sinead said: "I couldn't believe it! I genuinely only thought of it on Wednesday night and I wondered if I'd left it too late."
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But after posting on the Braes Blether Facebook page, she very quickly realised that wasn't the case.
"When my phone started pinging I thought 'woah', I'm going to have to try to get somebody to come and help!" she said.
Sinead was delighted when Kerris Gentles and Kerrie Kallus offered to come along and use their skills to help meet the demand. Having their help also means that they will be able to offer boys as well as girls' haircuts.
The trio will be in Maddiston Community Hall on Monday - but even with three of them cutting for four hours, the appointments were snapped up almost immediately.
Sinead, a mum of four, said she wanted to do something to help families, knowing how many are struggling at the moment with rising food prices and fuel costs.
"I know how hard it is with the expense of going back to school and how soul-destroying it can be for parents.
"It's just a small gesture but I suppose every little helps."
Sinead is a freelance hairdresser and make-up artist who has recently started her own YouTube channel where she plans to offer hair and beauty tutorials. She got the idea for the free haircuts after hearing about Barney's Barbershop in Fife, which is offering free back-to-school cuts for under-16s.
"It really touched my heart when I heard about it - but it was only this week I suddenly realised I could do this!," she said.
Initially, she thought about going to people's houses but soon realised it would be simpler to book a venue.
While Sinead originally intended to pay for the hire of Maddiston Community Centre, she was delighted to be told that she will get the use of the building free of charge.
The reaction to Sinead's offer on social media has been overwhelming with people praising her kind offer.
She said: "I know things are hard for everyone but I would love to see some other businesses offering more help to families now - the way the climate is just now, the prices of everything are just ridiculous.
"I know this is just a small thing but hopefully it does help some families out there."
