Jacob’s foot-long hair a double charity winner
IT took three years for 10-year-old Jacob Morgan to grow his hair to a foot long, but it took only 30 minutes at Bijoux Boutique on Saturday to have it cut to bring two benefits to a charity.
Jacob donated his hair to The Little Princess Trust, which provides free real hair wigs to children and young people, up to age 24, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.
As well as the hair, Jacob’s offering raised £1,300 for the cause.
‘It was a big achievement for me and my family as that’s a lot of money for one charity,’ he said.
It costs the trust about £400 to make and fit a wig for one person.
Jacob’s foot-long hair was of particular use to the charity because of its length.
He intends to grow it again for another three years and repeat the process.
His mother, Jo, said he had come up with the idea of his own accord.
‘I’m very proud of him,’ she said. ‘As much as he’s looking forward to having his spikes back for a while, he loved his long hair so it’s very selfless of him to have it cut off.’
Jacob goes to St Martin’s Primary School. Deputy head teacher Claire Giles and some of his school friends were among those to make donations.
‘My friends said it would be weird the next time they saw me as the old version of me would be back,’ said Jacob.
Three years ago he had spikes on his head. He plays rugby for Guernsey and his spikes, combined with his pace, earned him the nickname of Sonic.
At St Martin’s Football Club, where he also plays, his long hair resulted in him being called Carbonara.
Jacob had been due to have his hair cut on 23 January – the day the island went in to lockdown.
He also dances modern, tap and ballet with the Guernsey Academy of Theatrical Education along with doing theatre.
‘He wanted to keep his long-hair for the dance festival at Beau Sejour,’ said his mother.
His fundraising target at the time was £400, but since then it had risen to £1,300
The Little Princess Trust also funds research into paediatric cancers.
