Pippa Southam is set to donate her hair to Variety this Friday afternoon to help those less fortunate so it can be made into a wig.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
'So what?' You may say. Pippa is just six-years-old.
The kindergarten student at Illaroo Road Public, has only ever rarely had her hair trimmed but on Friday (November 12) she will be losing at least 35.5 centimeters of her beautiful locks.
The team at Maiden Hair salon at South Nowra will oversee the "big cut" with her hair being donated to Variety, The Children's Charity Hair With Heart campaign.
Read more:
Variety provides support for kids who have lost their hair due to a medical condition such as Alopecia through grants for wigs, funding the Variety Alopecia Areata Adventure Camp and providing therapy grants.
Her mother Kim, said she's proud of Pippa's "caring and generosity".
"We've talked about it a couple of times. She's had long hair forever and hadn't shown any interest to possibly donate it which was fine," Kim said.
"Then she commented on how long it was (down to her waist) and did we think it was long enough to donate?"
But it's not just as simple as cutting your hair and that's it done. The hair being donated must never have been dyed, and it must be at least 35.5 centimetres long to be eligible.
Getting hair to make the wigs is one thing, with 10 to 20 ponytails needed to construct just one wig. But it can cost up to to $6000 to make a human hair wig. And each natural hair wig only has an expected lifespan of two to three years.
"We measured Pippa's and from the base of her neck, she has 45 centimetres," Kim said.
"She'll end up with hair just below her shoulders. But it's still a lot of hair for a young girl to lose.
"For a long time she didn't even want to get a haircut at all. It's only been trimmed a couple of times, she has always wanted to keep her hair long.
"Her hair is also very thick and more recently she's complained about how heavy it is, especially when it is wet."
Pippa's grandfather Kevin Carter is involved with Variety and knew about the Hair With Heart program and suggested they would be a great recipient for Pippa's beautiful locks.
Pippa is not only donating her hair but the family is undertaken a fundraising campaign for Variety.
Getting hair to make the wigs is one thing, with 10 to 20 ponytails needed to construct just one wig.
But it can cost up to to $6000 to make a human hair wig. And each natural hair wig only has an expected lifespan of two to three years.
"For so many families of kids suffering Alopecia that cost is just too prohibitive," Kim said.
"We jumped on the Variety website, which has means for such fundraising events, and set up our fundraising effort as well."
While saying they had initially hoped to raise $250, the family has been "blown away" by the ongoing support, and increased the goal to $500 - but has smashed that - so far raising more than $1300.
And you can still donate go to https://hairwithheart.variety.org.au/fundraisers/kimsoutham/hair-with-heart
Every little bit helps.
To find out more go to hairwithheart.com.au #hairwithheart
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.