I last had my hair cut when I was 34 weeks pregnant. Which was over 16 months ago and that was only a trim, to shape my hair into the usual style, shoulder length and layered. Since then my hair has grown out of control, pulling when it was tide up, making me feel irritated and of course giving Charlotte something to pull at :0.
So I decided I had to do something about it, how did I have the right to do all this complaining when there are so many children out there who are suffering hair loss and are wishing for hair like mine. |
I heard about Little Princess Trust through my hairdressers, Adrian Wilde, facebook page. I saw pictures of a woman having her hair cut to donate to charity. I began to wondered why a charity would need a persons hair and then I read about the amazing work Little Princess Trust do.
I read about how they provide real hair wigs, free of charge, to children, both boys and girls across the UK and Ireland who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other illnesses. Whilst reading this, all I kept thinking was I HAVE TO DO THIS. I have watched my friends and family suffer with cancer and loose their hair because of treatment. The thought of being able to bring a smile to their face with such a small gesture of donating my hair, I had to do that for someone else, especially a child. Being a mum, I can't even begin to imagine what its like to watch your child face cancer and watch them not being able to understand why they are loosing their hair. Thankfully Little Princess Trust supports families and the work they do can help a child get some of their confidence and strength back to fight this horrendous battle.
I read about how they provide real hair wigs, free of charge, to children, both boys and girls across the UK and Ireland who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other illnesses. Whilst reading this, all I kept thinking was I HAVE TO DO THIS. I have watched my friends and family suffer with cancer and loose their hair because of treatment. The thought of being able to bring a smile to their face with such a small gesture of donating my hair, I had to do that for someone else, especially a child. Being a mum, I can't even begin to imagine what its like to watch your child face cancer and watch them not being able to understand why they are loosing their hair. Thankfully Little Princess Trust supports families and the work they do can help a child get some of their confidence and strength back to fight this horrendous battle.
So with all of that considered, I decided to book my hair appointment for 27th May 2015 and I would be having my hair cut to donate to Little Princess Trust. My hubby helped me set up ajustgiving page, #HairTodayGoneTomorrow and I was all set. I knew the second I started to raise money it would force me to see it through. The hardest part for me wasn't having short hair, it was the thought of leaving Charlotte.
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Since having Charlotte, I have struggled with Post-Natal Depression and separation anxiety. From her being born, she hasn't left my side and the thought of leaving her behind has always been more than I could cope with but Little Princess Trust gave me a real worth while reason to do it. I would be doing something that Charlotte could be proud of her mummy for. Something that would help a child and I would be proud of. I will talk more about my difficulty with Post-Natal Depression in another blog, at a later date, when I feel ready.
So... How does this whole wig thing actually work?
Little Princess Trust accept hair donations, meeting a required criteria which is listed on their website, please see this link for details. This is then sent to a factory in China to be manufactured. The factory chooses suitable hair which is then blended together with at least five other hair donations to make one single wig. These wigs are then given to the charity free of charge. As not all wigs will suit every children, Little Princess Trust also purchases wigs to ensure that the best and most appropriate one is given to the poorly boy or girl. Each wig purchased costs £350 each on average.
So... How does this whole wig thing actually work?
Little Princess Trust accept hair donations, meeting a required criteria which is listed on their website, please see this link for details. This is then sent to a factory in China to be manufactured. The factory chooses suitable hair which is then blended together with at least five other hair donations to make one single wig. These wigs are then given to the charity free of charge. As not all wigs will suit every children, Little Princess Trust also purchases wigs to ensure that the best and most appropriate one is given to the poorly boy or girl. Each wig purchased costs £350 each on average.
Wednesday 27th May 2015 (The Big Day)
I was so nervous leaving Charlotte with my mum but I knew she would be absolutely fine and would enjoy playing with her Nanie alot more than sat in a hair salon crying with boredom. I shed a tear leaving the car and saying bye to my beautiful girl for the first time but held my head up high as I walked into Adrian Wilde, knowing that I was doing something to make a child smile. You can read about my story and the reason I chose to donate my hair at my justgiving page, while you are donating :) https://www.justgiving.com/Jemma-Lodge.
Here is my hair journey in pictures:
I was so nervous leaving Charlotte with my mum but I knew she would be absolutely fine and would enjoy playing with her Nanie alot more than sat in a hair salon crying with boredom. I shed a tear leaving the car and saying bye to my beautiful girl for the first time but held my head up high as I walked into Adrian Wilde, knowing that I was doing something to make a child smile. You can read about my story and the reason I chose to donate my hair at my justgiving page, while you are donating :) https://www.justgiving.com/Jemma-Lodge.
Here is my hair journey in pictures:
I safely posted my donated hair yesterday to their address in Hove. We have also successfully raised an amazing £286 but its still not enough to buy a wig.
Here is my plea for funds :) please donate whatever you can via text to 70070 texting JEML89 £5 (or whatever you can afford, minimum donation required is £2) or visit my page https://www.justgiving.com/Jemma-Lodge. |