Bethany is losing her locks to help charity
A thoughtful nine-year-old girl from Seaham is cutting her hair and raising funds to donate to charity after seeing her mum suffering from a hair loss condition.
Bethany Walker, 9 from Seaham is donating her long locks to the Litttle Princess Trust charity after seeing her mum upset over suffering from alopecia.
The Seaham Trinity Primary school pupil has also set out to raise funds for her hair to be turned into a wig and to raise money for the NHS after seeing how much pressure the organisation was under throughout the pandemic.
Mum Jo Walker, 35 says although she has treatment for alopecia, she still gets upset about losing her hair.
The mum-of-two said: “I try to not let the kids see me upset, but one day Beth saw how sad I was about it and said she wished there was something she could do because she felt for me so much.
“I explained that it was OK because there are other people in much worse situations and she couldn’t believe that children with cancer also lost their hair.
Bethany’s school and Byron Place shopping centre in Seaham have also been supporting the fundraiser which goes ahead at the shopping centre on June 6.
Jo added: "She absolutely loves her hair so I was really surprised when she said she wanted to cut it but she told me that she doesn’t mind because some children won’t ever get their hair back and hers will just grow back.”
The youngster’s family are also supporting her fundraising, especially Bethany’s older brother Zachary, 12, who has been routing for his little sister.
Ms Walker, who is undertaking a business and accounting degree said: “The whole family are so proud of Bethany and it’s so thoughtful of her to put herself out there and do something for other children who need help.
"She’s very caring and she really understands how losing your hair can impact someone at such a young age.”
Mum Jo says both her children are always finding ways of helping people and she couldn’t be prouder of them.
Bethany has already raised £550 for the Little Princess Trust and £65 for the NHS.
You can donate to Bethany’s hair fund at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bethany-walker09 and the NHS fund at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bethanywalker27