Free cuts for hair donations to children's charity

A hairdresser who lost her own hair after undergoing treatment for breast cancer is offering free cuts to people who want to donate their hair to charity.

Carla Whelan, CEO of Regis and Supercuts in the West Midlands, said her salons were offering the haircuts to customers who wished to donate more than 12 inches of hair to the Little Princess Trust.

More than 2,000 children and young people are supported by the Hereford-based charity every year, which makes wigs for children with cancer and other conditions.

Whelan, from Worcester, said losing her hair as part of her chemotherapy journey was "really humbling".

She said wearing a wig throughout her treatment enabled her to do her job "without people realising I had cancer".

"I found out I had breast cancer in 2024, I think all people who have a diagnosis will say they didn't see it coming and they really didn't expect it," she said.

"People lose hair for a variety of reasons, I found it particularly traumatic and I wore a wig throughout my whole chemotherapy journey, which gave me my confidence back. It enabled me to carry on."

Whelan said the salons, which have branches in areas including Redditch, Dudley and Birmingham, were partnering with the charity to help children with hair loss.

"We're asking people with natural-coloured hair... or natural hair to donate at least 12 inches," she added.

"We will create the ponytails and plaits and cut and then after the donation, we will restyle the hair as part of the service."

Bethany, who donated her hair at the Regis salon at Merry Hill, Dudley, said she was inspired to donate her hair after her cousin lost her hair to alopecia.

"I think I was more excited than nervous," she said. "Because my hair's been long for so long.

"To be able to help someone else, it's really nice."

Wendy Tarplee-Morris, co-founder of the Little Princess Trust added: "It really does have a really significant impact on the individual and those around them.

"People talking about the charity, donating their hair, fundraising, supporting us, it's just incredible awareness that it's going to raise."

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