Teens donate hair for children

Stawell Secondary College students Elissa Jess and Bronte Cuff will farewell their flowing locks later this month when they cut their hair to support children battling cancer.

Fellow student Nicholas Bendall will join the teenagers and shave off his moustache for the cause.

The year-12 girls will donate their hair, which flows well below their shoulders, to Hair with Heart and at the same time raise money for children’s charity Variety.

Elissa plans to shave her head, donating 52 centimetres of hair, and Bronte will donate 35 centimetres. The hair-cutting experience will be at the college’s Chinese garden at 12.45pm on September 20.

Elissa said she was keen to help young people trying to cope with cancer.

“I’m making a difference by donating my hair to be made into a wig for someone who has lost his or her hair due to chemotherapy,” she said.

“Wigs can cost families up to $6000 and last one to two years, which means families can spend tens of thousands of dollars on the purchase of wigs throughout a child’s youth.

“By making a donation to Variety – the Children’s Charity, you can help provide a wig or other vital equipment for a child with cancer.”

Elissa, Bronte and Nicholas, their family and friends and Stawell Secondary College have invited the regional community to support them in their challenge. All visitors who attend the event must report to the school’s general office.

People making online donations to support the trio’s efforts at hairwithheart.everydayhero. com/au/help-elissa-share-herhair-1 have already raised more than $3000.