After the sudden death of our CEO, Founder and Leader, Toni Mascolo OBE (Cav. Uff, KCSG) on 10/12/17, I have decided to run the 2018 Virgin Money, London Marathon for both Toni and Brenda. Here are their stories

Toni Mascolo

Giuseppe Toni Mascolo OBE, Honorary Professor of Durham University and consummate professional, launched TONI&GUY as one single salon in Clapham, South London in 1963 with his brother Guy. Since then, TONI&GUY has seen international success, growing to over 600 salons (including the smaller salon 
group Essensuals) and 19 Academies worldwide as well as launching a multi-award winning professional product range, label.m. Toni was highly respected in the hairdressing industry and his list of achievements included business, entrepreneurship and charity, where he helped raise over £2 million through the TONI&GUY Charitable Foundation.

I never expected to be running this journey for Toni, it's surreal for me. Toni gave me an opportunity to open the 
Cheltenham salon that opened many doors for me. I remember Toni cutting hair in Davies St in the 80's - always there till last, always willing to do the last client at 6.55pm when the salon closed at 7pm. This was Toni, he never stopped! Thank you Toni for your passion, inspiration and opportunities; your journey will go on. You will be dearly missed.

Brenda Mail

Brenda Mail joined TONI&GUY in 1974 as a stylist but she was soon to be a vital member of the team. She was appointed as General Manager in 2008 and became deputy to CEO Toni Mascolo; managing the company owned salons and being closely involved in the roll out of the franchise business. Brenda was passionate about education and was involved in the creation of TONI&GUY NVQ; was a trustee of the TONI&GUY Charitable Foundation; sat on the board of HABIA and was hugely respected globally in the hairdressing industry.

Brenda interviewed me in 1987 when I first started to work for Toni&Guy in Mayfair, only two salons then and one Academy. We all grew as the company did over the next 30 years. Every event that I attended Brenda was always there, always committed, dedicated and passionate, spending time supporting the TONI&GUY Charity and planning how we could raise more funds.

The Toni&Guy Charitable Foundation was set up by Toni and his wife Pauline in 2003, with Brenda as an integral part of the charities success. Over the years, the charity have teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Support by developing a unique haircare service to help cancer patients; sponsored the Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Awards (LASA) for four consecutive years; and donated £700,000 to Variety, the Children’s Charity to open the Toni&Guy Children’s Ward at the King’s College Hospital, London. Since 2003, the charity has raised over £2 million
The Toni&Guy Charitable Foundation was very close to both Brenda and Toni’s hearts and I can not think of any  better way of remembering their memory than running the London Marathon for the Toni&Guy Charitable Foundation; a city and a charity that they both loved so very much. This would be the perfect opportunity for me to raise money for our chosen charities, Macmillan Cancer Support, The Stroke Association and Variety, the Children’s Charity in honour and memory of both Toni and Brenda.

Thank you for your support, Karen.