Employees at a beauty parlour put their entrepreneurial skills to good use as they raised more than £3,000 for a hospice.

Staff at Mode Beauty Therapy in Loughton took part in in St Clare Hospice’s “£50 challenge” to help support adults with life-limiting illnesses.

The 12-week challenge saw a number of businesses across west Essex and east Hertfordshire take a £50 stake and attempt to make as much profit for the Hastingwood charity as possible.

Staff were able to raise a grand total of £3,116 by holding raffles handing out manicures and treatments in a care home and staging a fancy dress day.

Mode owner, Karen Montagnino, said: “The staff at Mode were delighted to take part in the £50 Challenge for St Clare – and we had a great time over the course of the 12 weeks.

“We all took the challenge to heart and wanted to turn our £50 into as much money as possible for St Clare. I

“I personally know how incredible the care at St Clare is, and this just seemed like the perfect way to use our expertise as a local business and put our talents to good use by raising vital funds for a great local charity.”