Littlehampton teen’s hair-raising ploy helps cancer children

Ella Hayes, 16, took the chop on Friday at Raire Hairdressing, in Wick, so that her hair could be used to make wigs for children with cancer.

Ella, of The Hooe, had been growing her hair for more than a year in the run-up to the charity event, which raised more than £400 for The Little Princess Trust.

Speaking after the fundraiser, Ella said: “It was a bit of a shock seeing how short it was.

“I’ve had long hair for a couple of years now, so it’s a bit of a change for me.

“I saw a programme about children with cancer and the special wigs made for them and thought that because my hair was so long, it would be nice to do something to help them out.”

Plucky Ella had a total of 7in of hair removed by stylists at Raire, who cut her locks for free.

She added: “I’m not too worried about it staying short. My hair grows so quickly I know it will be back past my shoulders in no time.”

Ella said her friends and family had all been tremendously supportive in her charity bid.

She is now looking forward to studying English literature, chemistry, history and French at A-level at Chichester College, from next month.

To donate to her fundraiser, see here.