Southmoor woman to donate 18-inch long hair to charity

Helen Redfern, 42, of Cherry Tree Close, will shave off her 18-inch-long hair and donate it to the Little Princess Trust.

The children’s cancer charity will fashion the locks into a wig for a child who has lost their hair from cancer treatment.

Ms Redfern is also raising cash for Cancer Research UK through sponsorship for the cut.

She said: “I’ve seen programmes where children have lost their hair and I just felt so sorry for them. Cancer’s a horrible disease.”

She said she hoped the donation would stop a child being bullied for having no hair.

She said: “I know kids can be cruel. I hope my hair will give them some self-esteem back.”

Ms Redfern added: “I thought it would be a good opportunity to raise funds for cancer research as well. My family’s been affected by cancer in many different ways.”

Several of her close relatives have suffered from the disease and she hopes to raise at least £500 for research.

She said growing her hair for five years had been tough.

She explained: “I can’t stand my hair the way it is. I’ve always had my hair short — I like shoulder-length, so I can just tie it up off my face. But it’s more than halfway down my back now and it’s getting very knotty.”

For it to be donated to The Little Princess Trust, hair needs to be at least ten inches long, less than ten years old and in good condition.

Ms Redfern said: “I’ve not used any products, except shampoo and conditioner.”

Before starting what became a ‘growing’ endurance test, she had said she would use hairspray and mousse to keep it in shape almost every day.

Ms Redfern’s hair will be shaved off at Aquarius Hair Studio, Southmoor, on June 6, at 9am.

The cutting ceremony will also feature a raffle, with a selection of prizes donated by Oxfordshire businesses. They include a family pass to Blenheim Palace, two tickets to the Oxford Playhouse theatre and a packet of 12 Fabulous Bakin’ Boys muffins.