Yesterday, Kelly O’Donnell, Admin/Marketing Assistant/ Community Outreach, at Merlin Court (part of Avery Healthcare) surrendered her two and a half foot long hair to a pair of very sharp scissors. Supervised by hairdresser, Michelle, residents watched as daughter, Mia, Senior care-worker, Babs, and Margaret and Christine, both residents, gave Kelly’s hair the chop. Kelly will be donating her hair to The Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides free real hair wigs to children and young people up to 24 years, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions. The charity also funds childhood cancer research. Kelly has a Just Giving page and hopes to raise enough money for at least two wigs. Each wig costs £70 and so far Kelly has raised £1100. If you would like to sponsor Kelly click here.
Kelly, who has had hair below her waist since the age of seven, said, “I’ve wanted a drastic cut and thought about doing it for a while. I’ve seen the amazing work The Little Princess Trust does, and I wanted to be part of something that could make a real difference.”
Christine, a resident at Merlin Court, who helped to snip Kelly’s hair told Marlborough.news, “It’s a huge thing to do and for a very good cause, not many people would do it.”
For daughter Mia, Kelly’s new haircut might mean that Kelly is able to jump into the swimming pool with her on their much anticipated Corfu holiday. Previously the sheer length of Kelly’s hair has meant she has been reluctant to go swimming.
Since 2005, The Little Princess Trust has helped more than 18,000 children and young people with its free wig service. Each year, approximately 3,755 young people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK, highlighting the importance of supporting such initiatives as Kelly’s.
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