A compassionate ten-year-old from Devon has made a remarkable gesture of kindness by donating her long locks to a charity that makes wigs for children experiencing hair loss.
Inspired by Family Experience to Help Others
Esme, from Ivybridge, was motivated to support The Little Princess Trust after learning about her nanny's experience of losing her hair during cancer treatment. The young girl's desire to help others grew from a family conversation about where wigs come from.
"It made me feel sad that children also lose their hair," Esme explained. "I really wanted to keep growing my hair to be able to send 30cm to them." The charity provides free, real-hair wigs to children and young people across the UK.
The Big Chop and Fundraising Success
Before the significant haircut, Esme had never had more than a trim, meaning her hair had been growing for a full decade. "I was feeling a little nervous as I've always had long hair," she admitted, "but I'm excited for a more grown-up shorter look."
Understanding that each wig costs the charity around £700 to produce, Esme embarked on a fundraising mission with support from her school, friends, and family. Her creative efforts included organising a messy hair day for her classmates.
"I feel happy and proud that I have raised so much money to go with my hair," she said. Esme spectacularly smashed her initial target, raising more than £700 to accompany her 30cm hair donation.
A Legacy of Confidence and Care
Esme's ultimate hope is that her donation will make a tangible difference to another child's life. "I hope that I will make a young girl feel a little more confident during her treatment by wearing my wig," she shared.
Her contribution adds to the incredible work of The Little Princess Trust, which has now supplied over 8,000 wigs to children and young people. Furthermore, the charity funds pioneering, life-saving research into childhood cancers, meaning Esme's donation supports both immediate wellbeing and long-term scientific hope.
This story from Ivybridge is a powerful reminder of how community spirit and individual empathy can create waves of positive change, offering both practical help and a huge boost in confidence to those who need it most.
