Avon beauty company has given health campaigner Fiona Ford from Crewe, a £10,000 grant to invest in a female-friendly business venture of her choice.

Competing with five other finalists from across the country, Fiona is one of three women who have won money for an inspirational project.

Fiona’s idea for Fresh Hair Wigs and Beauty at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, was inspired by her own fight with breast cancer. The salon offers women, who are suffering hair loss as a result of cancer treatment or other illness, a personal service. Fiona will use the £10,000 towards the cost of creating a stand-alone beauty salon where she will offer holistic therapies, beauty treatments and expert advice to help women find their perfect wig.

Avon UK will be donating a total of £30,000 to three deserving and inspirational charities. Six finalists were chosen by a high profile judging panel of leading UK female role models, including: Jo Elvin, Editor of Glamour magazine; Amanda Holden, the actress and television presenter and Samantha Hutchinson, Avon’s Executive Finance Director and the three winners chosen by an online public vote

Avon’s Samantha Hutchison commented: ‘Fiona is a true inspiration to us all and we are delighted to help make her dreams a reality and improve the lives of women. I feel very privileged to have been a judge and to be able to award this grant to help such great a cause.’

Fiona, who lives in Crewe, said: ‘I am thrilled to be chosen as the winner for Avon’s Hello Tomorrow Fund 2013. The £10,000 grant from Avon will make a huge difference to Fresh Hair and Wigs and Beauty and will create an environment where women feel safe. The grant will help us to continue to empower women and build their self-confidence, but most importantly it will give them hope for the future.’