Big-hearted Eva gets the chop for charity
Mum’s cancer battle inspires girl to lose her locks
An inspirational schoolgirl from Paisley has made a big change in aid of children suffering from hair loss.
Eva Dalziel chopped around 13 inches off her flowing locks for The Little Princess Trust.
Having watched her own mum Anne Nisbett battle cervical cancer, the nine year-old wanted to give back to those also affected by the disease.
The St Charles’ Primary School pupil told the Express that raising awareness is really important to her.
“Since my mum was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, I have wanted to do things for different cancer charities,” Eva said.
“I’ve done a few fundraisers including bagpacking at local supermarkets.
“This time I wanted to help people who lose their hair through cancer treatment.
“That’s why I decided to cut my hair.”
Sporting long locks all her life, the young Buddie went for the chop with hairdresser Gillian McPherson.
“Right before my haircut I was really nervous and also while it was all coming off,” Eva added.
“Gillian was asking me if I was sure I wanted to do it.
“But I like it now. I would do it again. “It’s all worth it.” Anne has been in remission since the end of 2014 but had to go through gruelling treatment, with Eva by her side.
The proud mum, 41, said Eva was affected by her cancer journey just as much as she was.
“When I was first diagnosed Eva was just so brave,” Anne said.
“She would hold my hand every time I went for treatment at The Beatson and would try to look after me at home, despite being so young. About a year after I went into remission, our beloved dog Harvey passed away.
“This has all really affected Eva so it’s important charities that help cancer patients and their families get lots of support.”
There’s been no stopping Anne on her fundraising crusade.
At the end of last year she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, with two friends to raise money for the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
“Kilimanjaro gave me such a sense of achievement but I want to do so much more for cancer charities that helped me,” she added.
“At the same time , you get to a stage where you feel bad constantly asking people for sponsor money.
“Eva cutting her hair meant she was giving back without asking people for donations and it was something she could do all by herself. To have gone through her mum battling cancer and still be this strong makes me so proud. “She’s a special little girl.” For more information on the work The Little Princess Trust does, visit www.littleprincesses.org.uk