Warwick woman gets her nails into award. . . and skydiving

Her nails and beauty salon in Smith Street has been honoured in the recent British Hair and Beauty Awards 2015, while on June 2 she will take part in a skydive in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and hopes to raise at least £5,000.

Katie’s business, Simply Nails and Beauty, has been open for seven years and employs five.

The business won the West Midlands category of the Beauty Salon of the Year.

Katie, who lives near Warwick town centre, and was brought up in Lowsonford, said: “We’re very honoured and it’s great for the girls and the salon.

“The award is testament to the hard work from everyone and that the clients are getting the best and they appreciate it.”

The award process included customer nominations and testimonials and producing a portfolio of work.

Katie’s no stranger to awards – she was the BABTAC Nail Technician of the Year 2014, was also shortlisted as a finalist for Professional Beauty Nail Professional of the Year 2015 and was Pride of Warwick Educator of the Year 2014.

An old girl of The Kingsley School, Leamington, her skydive is a show of support for her older brother Rich Phillips, aged 36, who was diagnosed with cancer in October and lives in Hampton-inArden.

Katie said: “Doing a skydive is a bit scary. Yet it’s nothing compared to what those going through cancer go through. My brother is so amazing and I am so proud of how strong and what a fighter he is.

“I’m trying not to think about the skydive too much, but it certainly will be an experience.”

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/katienailsbarnes