Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Scissor sisters are cut above
Girls donate their locks and raise cash for charity
Three big- hearted sisters made double donations to charity as they braved a drastic haircut and raised hundreds of pounds in the process.
Carnbroe siblings Sarah, Martha and Maisie Cornwell each had their waist-length hair cut in aid of the Little Princess Trust – donating a combined total of three feet of locks to the charity and raising nearly £900 in just a week through their online donation site.
It nearly doubled their original target of £500 – the cost for the charity to create one wig using donated hair, to be given to children who have lost theirs while they go through cancer treatment.
Sarah, who turns 11 today, first had the idea of cutting her lengthy locks to help the good cause after being inspired by seeing friends similarly take the haircut plunge; and when she chose to do so too, little sisters Martha and Maisie, aged five and four, decided to join in.
Proud mum Laura Cornwell told the Advertiser: “We were a bit nervous as they’ve never had short hair; it’s grown so fast since they were little and we’ve never cut it but always kept it long.
“Sarah had seen a girl at her old school in Morningside doing this and always thought it was a lovely thing to do for the Little Princess Trust – it just took her a few years to build up the courage.
“The target was to try to raise at least £500 as that’s what it costs to make one wig; we just had a short fundraising period and decided to keep it to a week running up to their haircuts, and in the end they raised £887, which we’re really pleased with.
“My auntie had cancer; we explained to the younger ones about the hair being turned into wigs for children who’d lost their hair, and they wanted to do it. All of them love their new styles and are always brushing their hair; and it certainly makes it easier getting everyone ready for school in the mornings!”
The girls’ hair was cut at John Smith hair design in Newmains, where hairdresser Claire Smith donated her time and services free of charge in support of the girls’ charity effort.
Martha was first into the hot seat, followed by Sarah and then youngest sister Maisie – and they were supported and cheered on during the big chop by their mum, nine-year-old brother James, two cousins and Nana; as well as other customers and staff.
Now they have since been showing off their new styles to classmates and teachers at St Stephen’s Primary in Carnbroe, where Maisie has just started school, Martha is in Primary Two and Sarah in Primary Seven.
Laura said: “They were really excited on the day – when Martha went up first, everyone in the salon was saying how brave they all were and how short their hair was by comparison.
“She and Sarah each had 13 inches of hair cut off and now have bob styles, and Maisie had 10 inches cut off and her hair is now just past her shoulders, so it’s a lot shorter for all of them.
“They’ve had their certificates from the charity to say thank you; they’re just nice, kind girls and we’re definitely all really proud of them.”
They love their new styles and are always brushing their hair