An Andover man is preparing to part with nearly three years of hair growth on Monday in a heartfelt effort to support children and young people experiencing hair loss through cancer treatment and other conditions.
Wesley Leonard will have his hair cut at 11am on Monday, 24 August, at Royal Barbers in Andover, before donating it to the Little Princess Trust.
The charity provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their hair, while also funding research into childhood cancers.
For Wesley, Monday’s haircut has been almost three years in the making, with the Andover resident determined to turn his lengthy locks into something that could make a difference to a young person’s life.
Originally raised in Clinton, South Carolina, Wesley has made Andover his home and will mark 14 years living in the town next month.
He is now hoping the community he has called home for more than a decade will get behind his efforts by supporting the Little Princess Trust financially and helping to raise awareness of its work.
Wesley said: “On the 24th of this month I will donate my hair to little girls who are fighting cancer. It is the Little Princess Trust. They make wigs for these young women.
“My hair will cease to be mine and it will go to a young lady who is fighting for her young precious life.
“Please may I call upon your financial assistance for the Trust? £1 is enough to make a difference. I hope that we can help these children.”
Giving Hair and Hope
The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people experiencing hair loss.
The charity says it currently helps around 2,000 children and young people every year, with each real hair wig costing around £700 to provide. That figure includes the making, fitting and styling of the wig.
Hair donations such as Wesley’s are therefore only one part of the process. The charity also relies on financial donations from supporters to turn donated hair into professionally made wigs and provide them free of charge to those who need them.
The Little Princess Trust encourages supporters to donate at least 12 inches – around 30cm – of hair where possible, although its current minimum for donations made within the UK is 10 inches, or around 25cm.
The wigs are available to young people aged up to 24 who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment, while the charity can also support young people experiencing other forms of hair loss where possible.
Funding childhood cancer research
The work of the Little Princess Trust now extends beyond providing wigs.
Since 2016, the charity has become one of the UK’s largest charity funders of childhood cancer research, supporting research aimed at finding kinder and more effective treatments.
The charity says it has supported more than 150 research projects since its research programme began, meaning financial donations can contribute both towards its free wig service and its wider work supporting childhood cancer research.
It relies on the generosity of supporters to fund its work.
Three years in the making
For Wesley, the cause has meant allowing his hair to grow for almost three years before finally taking the barber’s chair.
He said: “It’s taken me nearly three years to grow this and I want to do as much as I can to help these young women.”
Wesley will be joined by someone taking photographs when he arrives at Royal Barbers at 11am on Monday, capturing the moment his three-year hair-growing journey comes to an end.
He has also thanked Royal Barbers for being part of the occasion and helping him make the donation possible.
After almost 14 years living in Andover, Wesley is hoping people across his adopted hometown will now get behind the fundraiser.
Even those unable to make a large contribution are being encouraged to support the cause, with Wesley stressing that every donation can help.
The Little Princess Trust itself says every pound raised makes a difference towards providing its wigs and supporting its work.
Those wishing to support Wesley’s efforts can donate directly to the Little Princess Trust through the charity’s official donation page.