Teenager loses long locks for hair charity

Megan Stapleton is a sixth former at The Sir Robert Woodard Academy and had her long hair cut short at The Spa in Lancing, Penhill Road, on Saturday and has donated it all to American charity, Locks of Love.

The 16-year-old told the Herald that she could not imagine losing her hair as a child as she was very proud of it growing up.

She said: “I wanted to help this charity out because I’ve always wanted to donate something other than money to a charity that I felt really was worth it.”

“Furthermore, the charity itself helps a wide range of young people in two countries.

“Other charities I looked at only focused on one country.

“It also catered for a lot of reasons why people lost their hair - whether it be through chemotherapy, Alopecia or Trichotillomania.

“I felt this charity helped a wider range of people and as a child I was always really proud of my hair.

“I can’t imagine how upsetting it must be for a little boy or girl to lose all of their hair and potentially not have it grow back.”

Megan is also raising money to help the cause through a number of events held at the school.

She continued: “I have raised £120 so far, through bake sales, raffles and donations at college.”

The Spa in Lancing has also offered to do free fish spa treatments for those who donate to Locks of Love.

The charity is a non-profit organisation that provides hairpieces to children under the age of 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

A spokesperson for Locks of Love said: “We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics.

“The children who receive these hairpieces have lost more than their hair, they suffer from a loss of self-esteem.

“Many children have been teased by classmates and embarrassed by the attention they receive because of their hair loss.

“They often will withdraw from normal childhood activities such as swimming, going shopping or even playing with their friends.

“While wearing a hairpiece is certainly not a cure for these children, it can help restore the normality to their everyday lives that most of us take for granted.”

For more informations about Locks of Love, visit www.locksoflove.org

To make a donation and help Megan’s cause, contact the academy on 01903 767434.

You can also donate at The Spa: www.thespalancing.com