South Elmsall beauty entrepreneur Karen Betts donates 100,000 face masks and gloves to support NHS staff

Karen, like many others, has closed her business temporarily, but said she doesn't want her stock of essential equipment, such as face masks, gloves, hand sanitisers and disinfectant wipes, to go to waste.

So, she made the generous decision to donate them all to support NHS staff and care homes across the UK.

Karen said: "After visiting my warehouse earlier this week to evaluate our stock, I realised we had a huge number of face masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes.

"These would ordinarily be used not only in our clinics and by those training via our academies, but also sold to industry professionals across our brands.

"With our operations now limited during this period, this stock would have just been left sitting in my warehouse until our operations increased again.

"It was something I simply couldn’t bear the thought of, particularly knowing our amazing NHS staff and frontline workers are struggling to keep up with demand for these essential products, so I had to take action.

"Donating this stock will of course impact my business, as demand is high worldwide and I simply don’t know when I’ll be able to replenish our supplies for when we’re fully operational again, but I felt it was my duty to do everything I could to help in this crisis.

"We are in unprecedented times and anything that can even slightly ease the worry and stress many are facing is hugely important, and I urge others to do the same - no matter how big or small, we can all make a difference.”

Karen starting her business after her close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and, after chemotherapy, lost her hair and eyebrows.

Wanting to help her friend regain the confidence cancer had stripped for her, Karen went to the US to train and quality in the art of permanent makeup and tattooing.

She is known world-wide as a leader in the sector, has an impressive list of celebrity and VIP clientele and works with several charities including The Alex Lewis Trust, The Katie Piper Foundation and Breast Cancer Haven.

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