Fiona to have locks shorn to help Cromdale tot Lenny and Little Princess Trust
An Aviemore woman will be parting with her long locks in order to raise money for a local girl who is battling a rare form of Leukaemia.
Fiona Wares has just launched the fundraiser to support three-year-oldLenny McConnell and her family with the tot’s on-going treatment.
She will be getting the ‘Big Snip’ next Tuesday (June 4) at Sunnydaze in Aviemore at 11am.
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Fiona said: “People are surprised at how long my hair is as I all ways have it tied up for my work and even I’m surprised at the length at times.
“But after the big snip I can grow it all back again.
“If I can make a little girl or young person put smile on their face and gain some self confidence then why not do it.”
There will be a charity collection bucket at Fiona’s work in the bar at the Cairngorm Hotel throughout the next couple of weeks.
It will be the second time that Fiona has donated hair to the Little Princess Trust and raised funds in the process.
She said: “I first did it 12 years ago just after my dad (Fergus Smith) died. My hair went to trust and money raised was donated to MacMillan Nurses.”
Lenny, from Cromdale, is braving battling Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) which is a type of blood cancer.
Her dad Barry said: “Fiona first contacted us and said she was going to cut her hair off for the Little Princess Trust and donate any funds to Lenny. We are really grateful for this.
“We are sure that Lenny will love to help the hairdresser with the first cut.
“Lenny was so young at the time she didn't really understand why she had lost her hair.
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“I shaved his hair with Lenny at the time to try and make it seem like it was a normal thing for her. So we never pursued to looking at wigs.
“But we have met families that had lots of help from the charity, they are really amazing. Without people like Fiona, these charities would not exist.
“It can be very difficult and upsetting seeing little girls and boys going through hair loss.
“There can be lots of questions and often strange looks from people that don't really understand.
“Lots of curious little people. It can be very hard as parents to see your child feel anxious over something out with their control.
“As much as having no hair was the least of our worries it was difficult.
“So for Fiona to donate five or six years' worth of hair is no doubt going to be a great help to the Little Princess Trust.
“A massive thank you to her and for involving Lenny in what will be Fiona’s big day."
More details and donations can be given at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bigsnip
Some facts from the Little Princess Trust:
To donate hair your hair length must be longer than 12 inches and your hair should be clean and dry when getting cut.
£700 covers the cost of providing one wig with real hair.
£550 to make one real hair wig of a child or young person.
£150 pays for styling and fitting of a wig.
Find our how Fiona and Lenny get on in next week’s Strathy and at www.strathspey-herald.co.uk
