I made a pretty mammoth decision last month. I have decided to cut off my hair and donate it to the Little Princess Trust.
My hair is currently the longest it’s ever been. I wear it wavy rather a lot and so it’s only when I can’t be bothered to do anything with it and it’s naturally straight that I realise just how long it is. It’s probably 2 or 3 inches from the bottom of my back and it occurred to me one day that I have so much when some people have none, through no fault of their own.
What Is the Little Princess Trust?
The Little Princess Trust give away free real hair wigs to children who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other illnesses. In addition to this, in partnership with CCLG (Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group), they fund research into childhood cancers.
The Little Princess Trust was launched in 2006 by the parents of Hannah Tarplee, along with help from friends and from Hannah’s school, Hereford Cathedral Junior School.
Hannah was the original Little Princess. Sadly she was diagnosed with having a Wilms a tumour and after a brave battle, died in 2005.
At that time, finding high-quality wigs for children was very difficult and only after a long search was a suitable company eventually found which made a wig for Hannah. After Hannah passed away, many kind people offered help, financial and practical. Hannah’s parents decided that the most fitting way to use this help was to launch a charity dedicated to providing specialist real hair children’s wigs. Like so many Little Princesses, Hannah loved her hair and losing it was very traumatic.
How Can We Donate?
It’s really quite simple. You cut your hair and you send it in and with any luck, they will put your hair with lots of other hair and make a wonderful wig for a Little Princess who needs one.
There are some rules obviously. I’ve popped over to the Little Princess Trust‘s website to detail them for you.
Hair we are able to use:
- Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour
- Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened
- Containing the occasional grey (less than 10%)
- Dyed, bleached/highlighted (any dyes must be of a natural colour)
- Ponytails(s) cut a long time ago, preserved in good condition
Hair we are unable to use:
- Hair that is less than 7”/17cm in length
- Dyed an unnatural colour (blue, green, purple, dyed red)
- Largely/mostly grey hair
- Afro (the wig-maker is not a specialist manufacturer of Afro wigs. The Trust buys in these wigs separately)
- Dreadlocks
- Hair extensions
My Plan
So, I’ve already mentioned that my hair is pretty long. But I want to give as much as I can. So now I’m on a mission to grow it as much possible and as soon as I feel it’s at a good length, and still healthy, I will have it cut. I’m not worried about the length leaving me. Don’t get me wrong, I love my long hair, but it will grow again and I know the feeling of doing something so lovely will outweigh any concerns. And besides, I’ve had it ALL lengths over the last few years and I’m lucky in that I seem to suit all styles and colours!
So, I would say in about six months, I’ll be ready to take the plunge. It’s easy to say these things and not follow them through. But I didn’t want to do that. It’s here now in black and white so I will honour it. And of course, I will be back here with an update when the time comes!
If you want to know more about the Little Princess Trust and how you can help, be sure to check out their website.
Image credit: Little Princess Trust