When a child loses their hair to cancer or another condition, The Little Princess Trust (LPT) is there to offer a free, real hair wig to help restore their confidence and identity. It costs £550 to provide a real-hair wig. Kayte and Nabila will be attempting to raise £550, which our employer (Capital One) will very generously match. This will enable us to donate two sets of hair, and the funds needed to transform our hair donations into beautiful, real hair wigs. We appreciate that this is a really tough time for everyone, with the cost of living resulting in all of us having less money to spend. Please feel no pressure to sponsor us, but anything you could give would be hugely appreciated.

The Little Princess Trust charity also funds childhood cancer research seeking to find kinder and more effective treatments.

Please visit www.littleprincesses.org.uk to find out how you can help LPT give young people back what cancer takes away.

The Little Princess Trust relies solely on the efforts of enthusiastic community fundraisers. They receive no formal funding.

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Kayte’s Story

I’ve always wanted to support a cause and have always had great admiration and support for those raising money for charity. Unfortunately, I am not that good at baking cakes, I’m no marathon runner, and I’m definitely not going to throw myself out of a plane (I have a crippling fear of heights). I guess I’ve struggled to understand how I could contribute to a fundraising event without seriously compromising my own wellbeing! That was until one day during the pandemic, when my hairdresser shared a post on social media about the Little Princess Trust. The tag line was “Let It Grow” - the obvious concept at the time being “since you can’t get it cut, why not let it grow and donate it?”. My hair has always grown very quickly and is very thick. I’ve always loved my hair and I only had to spend a few seconds thinking about how I’d feel if I lost my hair to know that it would utterly devastate me. In fact, when I mentioned this to my boss and he joked that he’d double whatever my fundraising was if I completely shaved my head, I actually had a couple of sleepless nights because I felt so unsettled at the thought of having no hair. Apart from the lack of sleep, I was grateful for that insight, as it completely cemented my commitment to this cause.

So, since March 2020 I’ve been growing my hair, in preparation for donating it one day to someone who really needs it. The more I’ve followed the Little Princess Trust, the more I’ve learnt about children and young adults who are going through such suffering and trauma. To see the difference it makes for someone to receive a wig has filled me with utter determination to contribute. It really is life changing for someone who has lost all their hair, and with it, a huge portion of their own identity. So, here I am, with hair that now wraps around my waist. It costs a small fortune to maintain (I have to wash it in three sections and use SO much conditioner to get the knots out) and it takes over 1.5 hours to blow dry and straighten (hence why it’s usually in a bun!). The Little Princess Trust has asked for hair donations of 16 inches or more, as the vast majority of requests are for long hair wigs. I think I’m approaching that now, and plan to have it chopped over the next couple of months. I’m really hopeful that Nabila and I can raise enough money to fund one wig (£550). With our employer matching whatever we raise, we may have enough funding for two. Nabila is having her hair chopped first, and I’m going to keep mine for a bit longer.

Thanks for reading, and thank you for any donation - no matter how small. It all adds up and makes a big difference.

Kayte

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Nabila’s Story

Unfortunately, all of us will know someone who has suffered from cancer. For some of us, that has led to utter devastation, and for others, some glimmer of hope.

Although I have no personal experience, I hear about the side effects of chemotherapy from close friends and family. The impact drugs have on hair alone is both physical and emotional. And to imagine how many children experience this breaks my heart.

Like Kayte, I’m no marathon runner. I heard about The Little Princess Trust during the pandemic and have been obsessed with following them on social media ever since.

Although I may lose some warmth from my head and human scarf, and I will have to perhaps put the heating on. I'm excited about making a difference to a young life and hope a wig (or two) made from my hair brings them some hope and joy.

We recognise it’s hard times at the moment, so please don't feel any pressure….

However, if you'd like to support us dig deep and donate! Remember £550 will help us pay for the cost of one wig.

If anyone wants to join in growing their hair for charity too - let me or Kayte know!

Nabila