A TAVISTOCK beautician is heading to London this weekend to take part in a Guinness World Record attempt to raise awareness for mental health.

Kirsty Douglas, co-owner of Venus Beauty and Hair, will be taking part in the ‘Nailing Mental Health’ event, which will see Kirsty join nail technicians from across the country to shape and paint 6,078 nails in green glitter in an eight-hour period.

The aim of the event is to raise £30,000 for charities, including MIND, Samaritans and Nailing Mental Health. This money will be used to pay for private counselling/therapy and respite as the waiting list for such provision is currently 12 to 18 weeks. Such long waiting times can impact recovery, often leading to secondary episodes.

Kirsty said: ‘I decided to take part in this event as we all know someone in our lives who have to deal with the effects mental illness has on them. We need to raise awareness and money to help care for and support people and their families who have to live with this day-to-day.

‘Mental health affects one in four people in any given year with numbers increasing every year. In 2015 6,078 people lost their battle with mental health in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

‘I’m very nervous about the event. I have concerns we won’t get enough people turning up to help raise the £30,000 we are aiming for to go to MIND and the Samaritans. So, if you know anyone in London who has a spare £5 and wants a manicure, it’s happening on April 2 at the 02 InterContinental Hotel.’

Kirsty has been raising awareness for this cause in the salon with a collection tin at reception. All money raised up until the date will be donated to the Nailing Mental Health event while the remainder of the year, the salon will raise money for a local MIND organisation.