A Vernon hair salon is raising money for clean water initiatives in developing countries.

"Every year at Spruce we participate in Earth Month," said Liz Dunn, manager of Spruce Salon. "We're partnered with the Canadian Aveda network as well as WaterAid and we bring water projects to people in developing countries that don't have that basic human right to clean water and sanitation."

In 2016 Spruce Salon raised $2,500, last year they raise more than $7,500, and this year they are hoping to break $15,000.

"It's International Women's Day and women are a huge part of the water cycle in these developing countries," Dunn said.  "Mothers and children are the majority of people that have to go [carry water], walking usually about six kilometres twice a day to a water source that's unclean, unfiltered water.

"The buckets they carry weigh about 40 to 45 pounds that they have to carry back with them once they're filled."

Not only do they provide clean water to villages but they provide education about sanitation practices and well maintenance.

"Right now we are in the third year of a three-year project in Madagascar," Dunn said. "There are two communities there and that equals over 20,000 people now. At the end of this third year we'll have complete clean water access to everyone in those communities."

Spruce Salon will begin fundraising  starting in the next couple weeks and will continue to raise money into the beginning of May.

"We'll be selling raffle tickets for different prize baskets of products from local businesses and are working on one or two events as well," Dunn said.

The salon will host a cut-a-thon throughout the day on April 28, with the proceeds from the entire day going towards their fundraiser.