WHEN 10-YEAR-OLD Iris Williams-Ballard learnt that her friend’s mum was suffering from cancer, she decided she wanted to do something positive to help.
Iris began learning about The Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides wigs made from real hair to children and young people undergoing cancer treatment, along with those suffering from other illnesses that cause hair loss.
Around the same time, Iris learned that another friend’s sibling was suffering from trichotillomania, a condition where the sufferer experiences frequent, repeated and irresistible urges to pull out hair from their scalp, eyebrows or other areas of the body, and people with the affliction are also among those who receive help from the charity.
The Little Princess Trust currently supplies around 2,000 wigs every year, and since 2016, the charity has also committed more than £28 million across 134 projects for research into kinder and more effective cancer treatments.
Iris, who attends Ysgol y Ddraig Primary School in Llantwit Major and enjoys gymnastics, decided to launch a sponsored fundraiser whereby she would have her long, fair hair cut so that it could be donated to the charity, while the money raised would go towards its important research.
Recently, Iris’s plaited locks were cut by Lynne at The Cutting Room hairdressers in Boverton, and Iris is said to be delighted with her new appearance, as well as being able to do something to help others.
Iris’s mum Hannah Williams said: “I’m so proud of Iris, who at 10 years of age has shown great concern for the problems others are going through and wanted to do something to help them.
“Our thoughts are very much with the people who will be receiving the wigs made from Iris’s hair, and we wish them well in their treatment. Iris is really pleased with her new hair, and I’d like to thank Lynne and all the team at The Cutting Room for their help in making this happen.”
The Little Princess Trust said: “When a child loses their hair to cancer or another condition, we’ll be there with a free, real hair wig to help restore their confidence and identity.
“Please visit us at www.littleprincesses.org.uk to find out how you can help us give young people back what cancer takes away. The Trust relies solely on the efforts of enthusiastic community fundraisers.
“We receive no formal funding. Please help to raise money for us so that we can help more families.”
There is still time to donate to Iris’s fundraiser, which has so far raised £105. To make a donation, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/IrisFundraiser
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