Schoolgirl Raises Over £500 by Chopping off Hair

News release

8th April 2013

A trip to the hairdressers has allowed a Lincolnshire schoolgirl to raise more than £500 for charity after she had 25cm of her hair cut off.

11-year-old Kaitlin Cocks took the brave step of cutting her flowing hair – which reached halfway down her back and had never been cut short – into a pixie-style hairdo in aid of the

Ally Cadence Trust, a charity supporting families affected by spinal muscular atrophy.

The radical cut on Saturday (6thApril) means she now has spiky hair cut into her neck with some longer tendrils framing her face. Kaitlin chose the charity as the founders are family friends. It was launched in 2009 by Emma and Karl Humphries after their daughter Ally Cadence died of the condition aged just six months. The trust aims to offer help, advice and equipment to needy families with children suffering from the condition across the UK.

The target this year is to raise more than £30,000 – with the help of the annual Butterfly Ball on 28th September – and to spread the word about the charity’s work.

“I felt so excited when I sat down in the chair to get the haircut, but when she started to cut the ponytail it felt very strange,” said Kaitlin, who lives in Sleaford and attends Church Lane Primary School.

“I am really proud that I’ve managed to raise more than £500, I’ve been telling everyone I can. I’m very pleased with the cut and don’t regret it at all.”

Kaitlin’s new hairstyle was done for free at the Cutting It Hair Salon in Sleaford. Her hair was put into a plait before being cut so it could be donated to the Little Princess Trust which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment.

Mum Abigail Cocks, 31, said: “I’m so proud of my daughter, she’s raised a great amount of money. Every time I look at her she’s got her hands in her hair, or is playing with it, she’s over the moon. It was quite a departure as I’ve never allowed her to have her hair cut so short before.”

Emma from the trust added: “Kaitlin’s brave move is inspiring – there aren’t many schoolgirls willing to so radically change their appearance for such a good cause. We’re very impressed with her and we think she looks absolutely lovely with her new haircut.”

Donations are still being collected and can be made via the Ally Cadence Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy website www.actsma.co.uk/home/page/sponsor_kaitlin.

Ends

Notes to editors:

About the Ally Cadence Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

• The trust was set up in March 2009 by Karl and Emma Humphries in memory of their daughter Ally Cadence. It became a registered charity in December 2009

• Since launching it has raised more than £50,000 to help people affected by the disease get access to specialist equipment
• The goal is to raise £30,000 over the next year
• The trust holds an annual Butterfly Ball to raise money. This year’s event will take place at the Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire on 28th September. Full details can be found here www.actsma.co.uk/Home/Page/ButterflyBall
• Visit www.actsma.co.uk for more information about the charity and www.allycadence.co.uk to read Ally’s story
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a genetic disorder that affects nerve cells so that muscles can't be used and become wasted, or atrophied. The nerve cells become damaged, breaking the link between the brain and the muscles. As a result, the muscles can't be used and waste away. This can lead to problems with breathing as well motor activities such as crawling, walking, feeding and head control.

Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07985 143990
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @CerriDelaney

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