Plymouth schoolgirl donates hair to charity to help other children

A kind-hearted schoolgirl is donating her hair to charity because she wants to help children who experience hair loss. 10-year-old Esme, from Ivybridge, was inspired by a relative to support The Little Princess Trust.

“After knowing that Nanny had lost her hair during cancer treatment and needed a wig, I wanted to help other people,” said Esme. “I asked about where wigs come from and heard about The Little Princess Trust.

“It made me feel sad that children also lose their hair and I really wanted to keep growing my hair to be able to send 30cm to them.”

The charity provides free, real-hair wigs for young children and young people experiencing hair loss.

“I've never had my hair cut more than a trim, so it's been growing for 10 years. I was feeling a little nervous as I've always had long hair, but I'm excited for a more grown-
up shorter look. I hope that I will make a young girl feel a little more confident during her treatment by wearing my wig.”

Ahead of the ‘big trim’, Esme fundraised hard with the support of friends, family, and her school – even hosting a messy hair day for her classmates.

“I didn't realise it cost £700 to make a wig and wanted to fundraise half of the money to help the charity to turn my hair into a wig. I feel happy and proud that I have raised so much money to go with my hair.”

Esme has smashed her fundraising target, raising more than £700 for The Little Princess Trust, along with donating her hair.

The Little Princess Trust has supplied more than 8,000 wigs to children and young people and funds pioneering, life-saving research into childhood cancers.