A GIRL with hair like Rapunzel has spent three years growing out her long locks to help children with cancer.
Six-year-old Brooke Brownlow will chop off 13 inches of her hair in aid of the Little Princess Trust.
The youngster from Eastleigh wants the charity to be able to make two wigs out of her hair – but needs to raise over £1k for this to happen.
'Never had a haircut'
Mum Ashleigh Brownlow said the seed was planted in Brooke’s head after watching an advert for the charity.
The 34-year-old learning support assistant said: “Brooke was born with quite a lot of hair, and I was able to put it up from the age of four months.
“She has never had it cut, apart from a few trims.
“We saw an advert for the Little Princess Trust and we spoke about it. We didn’t leave any facts from her.
“From then, Brooke said she wanted to grow her hair really long to chop it off to give to somebody to make them happy.”
'She is so determined'
By the end of 2020, the Little Princess Trust provided a total of 10,000 wigs to young people who have lost their own hair due to cancer treatment and other conditions such as Alopecia.
According to the charity, the wigs help to restore the “confidence and identity” of the young recipients at what can be a very tough time in their lives.
It costs on average £550 to make, fit and style each wig for the charity.
Brooke hopes to raise £1,100 for the charity and when she reaches that milestone, she will have her hair chopped.
Ashleigh said: “I didn’t want her to cut it off, but she is so determined and this is what she wants to do, and for such a worthy cause.
“There was never any pressure from us for her to do this.
“I am so proud of how determined Brooke is. She keeps saying ‘it’s only hair, it will grow back.’
“It’s quite inspirational really.”
Brooke’s fundraising page was set up on August 7 and has already generated £242 in donations.
Ashleigh added: “When we told Brooke how much has been raised already this morning, she said ‘wow, that’s really kind.’
“People’s generosity has been amazing. It’s overwhelming.”
To support Brooke, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Brooke-I-Brownlow to donate.
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