Mother who helps children with cancer speaks of heartache as she is made MBE

A bereaved mother who created a charity to provide wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment has been recognised in the New Year Honours.

Wendy Tarplee-Morris co-founded the Little Princess Trust after losing her daughter, Hannah Tarplee, to cancer in 2005.

Hannah’s hair loss during treatment was “very traumatic” and her parents searched “high and low” to find a suitable wig for her, according to the charity.

After Hannah died, her parents set up the charity in her memory.

The charity has since provided nearly 18,000 real-hair wigs to children and young people with hair loss from cancer treatment and other conditions.

People can donate hair to be made into wigs, with the charity requesting people to donate at least 12 inches of hair where possible.

Donors are also asked to help raise funds to help turn their hair into wigs for those in need.

The charity, which is based in Hereford, also funds research which aims to find kinder and more effective treatments for children with cancer.

She was made MBE for services to children and young people with cancer.

“I am honoured to receive this recognition, but I can never forget the huge personal trauma and how it affected my family having lost Hannah, but I am so aware of how many families are still being affected by childhood cancer today,” she said.

“This is what drives us on to do more, so I would like to accept this honour on behalf of all the families affected by childhood cancer.

“I would also like to thank everyone who has supported the Little Princess Trust over the past 20 years, particularly my fellow co-founders, Simon Tarplee and Tim Lowe, without whom the charity would not be here today.”

In 2004, Hannah was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour, a type of kidney cancer that mainly affects young children.

“Hannah loved her hair and losing it was very traumatic for her. Her parents, Wendy and Simon, searched high and low to find a wig suitable for Hannah, during her treatment.

“When they found one, it had a hugely positive effect on Hannah,” according to the charity.

Hannah died in 2005 when she was five years old.

After her death, Ms Tarplee-Morris and Hannah’s father Simon “felt the most fitting tribute would be to launch a charity dedicated to providing real hair wigs for children and young people”, the charity said.

Phil Brace, chief executive of the Little Princess Trust, said that Ms Tarplee-Morris was recognised for her “selfless work and dedication to help so many children and young people”.

He added: “She is such a modest person but all of us associated with LPT know how much she deserves this wonderful accolade.

“What she has achieved in memory of her daughter, Hannah, is incredible and I know she inspires everyone associated with our charity every day.”