Little girl's charity haircut inspires Grouville school fundraiser

Friday 29 June 2018

An eight-year-old girl, who pledged to cut her hair for the Little Princess Trust every year, has inspired Grouville School to hold a dress down day with a difference today, to raise money for the charity and the Jersey Child Care Trust.

Ellie Rose (pictured with hairdresser, Nikki) has had 13 inches of her hair cut for the Little Princess Trust to make wigs for children who have lost theirs through cancer treatment.

She explained: “I have been growing my hair for as long as I can, so a wig can be made for children with cancer. When I got my hair cut I said that I would do this every year.

"I was watching Children and Need and I felt sorry for the children who have cancer or health problems. I saw some of them had lost their hair so thought of donating my hair."

Ellie Rose had her hair cut on 16 May at Blades Hairdresser and the move prompted other little girls to take the chop. Three girls in her class have gone for a bob just like hers with a fourth one set to cut her hair soon. Two of the little girls also donated their hair. 

Pictured: Ellie-Rose donated 13 inches of her hair.

Ellie-Rose's donation also caught the attention of her teacher, Mrs Janes, who suggested the whole school take part in a fundraiser. As the little girl is on the school council, she proposed a crazy hair day for everyone to come to school wearing their hair in a silly style. The council loved the idea and the school will be having a dress down day with a twist, today.

Children will be able to leave their uniform at home and wear their own clothes but can wear ‘silly hairstyles’ and donate £1, which will be split between the two charities. Ellie Rose said: "I want everyone to realise how lucky we all are to have our own hair and that some children are not so lucky.

"I am dying my hair pink for the day so there is a little a bit of colour. Every one can come with crazy hair to school as long as they bring one pound!"

Pictured: Seven-year-old Evelyn Dwyer is raising money for the Jersey Child Care Trust.

The little girl is not the only charity-minded pupil at Grouville School. Evelyn Dwyer, who is also in year 3, was instrumental in organising the day. The seven-year-old girl is raising money for the Jersey Child Care Trust, which supports children with special educational needs and disabilities in their nurseries. Evelyn is hoping that her efforts will help give children a "fun day out."

She said: “I wanted to collect money and donate it to the charity so that they could use it towards fun days out with the children and have some freedom. We got collection tins from the charity and I asked my school could we have a dress down day to raise more money.

"I watched a video about a little boy called Harry on the Jersey Child Care Trust website and wanted to raise money for this charity.”

Both Ellie-Rose and Evelyn will be donning pink hair and dresses to mark the day. Their headteacher Mrs Turner said: “We are always very proud when our children want to raise money to make a difference for others. Both Ellie-Rose and Evelyn have chosen two very special causes and have received the backing of our School Council, which is wonderful.”