Hair marathon to raise funds for Razzett

Hot air was blowing and scissors snipping away as the 12th edition of the 36-hour MCAST Razzett Hair and Beauty Marathon kicked off at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija in Marsascala yesterday morning.

The marathon runs until 11 this evening as around 400 students style and enhance images to raise funds for the Razzett.

Over the years, the event outgrew its original premises in Sliema when it involved no more than 150 students, MCAST Institute of Community Services director Dorothy Meli said.

This is the third time it is being held at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija and the eighth year it has been televised live on Education 22, with several links on TV and radio stations.

Over Lm200,000 has been raised for charity since the marathon's inception, with Lm42,000 collected last year alone. But the organisers had no targets, maintaining that how far people dug into their pockets ultimately depended on their mood, and the time of the year.

Nevertheless, the popular marathon got off to a good start yesterday, with people waiting in line to enjoy an array of hair services, ranging from blow-dries to highlights and perms, as well as beauty treatments, like manicures and massages at "reasonable" prices.

Donations made over the phone, which would be accepted over the 36 hours, were also an important means of raising funds, Ms Meli said.

The event involves the participation of 200 students from the Institute of Community Services and another 200 from the other nine institutes at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, who are doing other odd jobs, like manning stalls and organising games in the Razzett pool.