A North East beauty awards has raised funds for a County Durham community hub that helps children struggling in mainstream education.
Empowher - a community interest company based in Belmont - provides beauty courses for children who are facing difficulties in mainstream education for various reasons.
The firm, run by director Louise Forrest, also offers courses for victims of domestic violence, helping women "regain control of their lives and start afresh".
Last month, Empowher was the "chosen charity" for the North East Hair and Beauty Awards, which is run by organisers Danielle Walling and Steph Worrall.
The popular event saw £645 raised for the hub, which Louise said will make a "massive difference" at Empowher and help the staff continue to "do their absolute best".
"We started Empowher in 2022 as a place for girls that couldn't integrate into mainstream school," Louise told The Northern Echo this week.
"They learn other subjects rather than what is taught in a normal school and then leave with a level 1 hair and beauty qualification.
"The funds [raised by the North East Hair and Beauty Awards] will help get better equipment for learning and it will help put on more courses for people who have been victims of domestic violence."
Louise, who is from Durham, also runs Beauty & Aesthetics Training NE, which she set up in Stanley in 2018 before moving the firm to Durham city centre.
Once her students at Empower reach 16-years-old, Louise then takes them forward through Beauty & Aesthetics Training NE, providing everything from eyebrow courses to aesthetics training.
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She added: "They can come to me from 13-years-old and be with me until adult learning."
Louise - who also runs Eden Alternative Education in Hartlepool, alongside Jo Fitzgerald and Lindsey Hardy - was presented with a cheque from the beauty awards last week.
The event took place on September 7 at Rainton Manor, where Louise also was a judge.
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