Yarn wig to boost cancer battlers
STARKIDZ Children’s Entertainment in Southport is to donate specially-made yarn wigs to children in the North West battling cancer.
The company, just behind Union Street, currently has wigs to give away and is also planning visits to present the wigs to children as their favourite characters.
It is the only company in the
UK teamed up with the US-based Magical Yarn Project which is run by volunteers and specialises in making yarn-wigs which are comfy, soft, warm and inspired by beloved Disney characters.
Volunteers crochet extra-soft yarn into beanies and transform them into storybook hairstyles.
Starkidz owner Jan Hayes said: “For children undergoing chemotherapy, a lot of traditional wigs can be itchy on young, sensitive scalps. The yarn wigs are soft, comfortable and non-itchy and such a great idea.
“It was my colleague, Maureen Galley, who discovered the Magical Yarn Project a while back.
“We donated money and they sent us a box of ready-made wigs inspired by about 20 characters such as Elsa, Rapunzel, Jasmine. There’s plenty of male characters too – Jack Sparrow, the Turtles with Spider-man and Ironman beanie hats.
“They sent us wool too so we want to train staff to make them. You have to be a volunteer to make them and when Maureen did she had to send it to the US to be inspected.”
In 2017 they made four-yearold Ellie Rieveley’s day by presenting her a specially-made wig by her favourite princesses Elsa and Anna from Frozen.
Ellie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and faced two years of chemotherapy which left her without her hair.
Starkidz had to put the project on hold for a while as not long after teaming up with the Magical Yarn Project, Maureen left to have a baby. They recently moved premises and box were inspired to get the project going again.
Jan said: “We want to not only provide the children with the wigs but also to go and spend time with them as their favourite characters.
“They are beacons of fun, laughter, and play during scary times and it invites children back to the world of play and daydreaming.
“If you know of a brave child who would love a wig or a beanie please get in touch with us. They will be dropped off by one of our characters to make it extra special.”
For more visit www. starkidzparty.co.uk or visit Facebook @starkidzs.
For the Magical Yarn Project, visit www.themagicyarnproject.com/