Matthew’s charity haircut raises more than £750

Matthew Love had been growing his hair since March 2023, but decided to get it cut to raise funds for the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children living with cancer.

The St Sampson’s High School student was inspired to undertake the initiative after his nan, former Queen’s Road nurse Barbara Tombleson, died from leukaemia in 2020.

As well as his hair donation, he has managed to raise more than £750 for the trust.

‘I was hoping to raise £100 at the start, so to get to more than £750 is amazing,’ he said.

Matthew’s haircut took place at local barber Barber Jay, with business owner Coralie Benton – who was the last person to cut his hair in March 2023 – tasked with the trim.

‘Boys’ long hair can sometimes be difficult to cut as they don’t always condition it when it gets longer, but Matthew has looked after his really well,’ she said.

‘The easiest way to get good locks of hair off is to tie it up in plaits and then just cut each individual one off, before tidying it up with a more regular type of cut.’

Barber Jay made a donation to the trust equal to the fee Matthew would normally have been expected to pay for his haircut.

Matthew’s parents, Harry Love and Emma Ozanne, watched on as their son underwent the cut.

‘We’re so proud of him – doing something like this at his age is so inspiring,’ said Miss Ozanne.

‘A few of his friends at school have also been really supportive.

‘I think all of us are going to take some time to get used to him having it so short again though.’

Reflecting on the finished cut in the mirror, Matthew said he approved of his new hairstyle.

‘I was a bit unsure of what I was going to look like because it’s been so long, but I think it suits me.’

To donate to Matthew’s cause, visit his fundraising page.