A COUNTY communications firm has taken home a prestigious award for creating a film raising awareness of alopecia.

Hartlebury-based DRPG won a silver award in the fundraising, non-profit, CSR category at the Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards.

The award celebrated DRPG's film, 'Shedding' which was created with the help of the charity Alopecia UK to promote the work of the charity and encourage awareness of the condition.

The film shared the stories of three people from the UK living with Alopecia, each of whom had existing links with the charity.

Tom, Naomi and Angie talk about the many challenges they faced in coming to terms with losing their hair, the social and psychological impact this has had, and finally how they overcame the stigma of the condition to live more happily and confidently with alopecia.

The title ‘Shedding’ has a dual meaning, as it applies to both an intense period of rapid hair loss, but also the ‘shedding of the facade’ in order to reveal their true feelings and identity to the audience, on camera.

By talking candidly about losing their hair, it is hoped this documentary and its interviewees will help others struggling with hair loss and provide inspiration and some clarity to a widely misunderstood and rarely publicised medical condition.

The film was originally debuted during Alopecia Awareness month in September 2018 and widely shared on Facebook and Alopecia UK’s other social channels, generating an overwhelmingly positive response.

Inspired by a close friend who lives with the condition, Dominic Allen produced and directed the film and attended the awards ceremony last Thursday to collect the prestigious Silver Dolphin.

He said: “It’s a great honour to have been awarded silver at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, especially for our work with such a fantastic charity.

"This is a project that was close to my heart and a strong example of DRPG’s commitment to CSR, so we’re all proud to have been part of the push to help those living with the condition.”

Alopecia Areata is an auto-immune condition causing loss of hair. Alopecia UK works to improve the lives of those affected through support, awareness, research and fundraising.