Zara’s 15-inch haircut to back mum, charities
A YOUNG islander braved the chop in support of two charities following her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis as she waved goodbye to her long hair.
Eleven-year-old Zara Smart’s mum, Lisa, was diagnosed three years ago and underwent chemotherapy which led to her losing all of her hair as well as a lot of her confidence.
Showing solidarity with her mum, Zara recently had a large portion of her hair cut off to be donated to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes real hair wigs for people will illnesses that causes their hair to fall out.
‘I’d like to donate my hair for a wig to help give a child back their confidence during treatment and into their recovery,’ she said.
‘I felt scared, excited and a little worried when I had my hair chopped but I kept thinking about how my hair and the money raised could help so many people.’
She had 15 inches of her hair cut by her aunt, Jemma Le Tissier, who works at Expressions Hair Studio.
Alongside supporting the Little Princess Trust, money was also raised for the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation to buy a night in its compassionate housing which provides accommodation for Guernsey families of premature babies or critically-ill children needing care at Southampton Hospital.
‘As well as having treatment in Southampton myself, we have many friends who have benefited from PPBF support in Southampton,’ said Mrs Smart.
‘Also, one of the flats, Aggie’s Burrow, is named in memory of Zara’s school classmate’s sister, who sadly passed away with Neuroblastoma in May 2014.’
A JustGiving page was set up with an initial target of £60 which was reached very quickly, allowing Zara to increase the number of nights purchased to five. Currently more than £500 has been raised.
n Islanders looking to support Zara’s fundraising campaign can do so by visiting the JustGiving page at bit.ly/47a8ADa
