Hair Raising Feat: Year 6 Student Summer Shaves Head For Cancer Charity

An 11-year-old from East Cowes bravely had her head shaved in front of her whole school to raise money for the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people and their families.

Summer, aged 11, has now raised more than £2,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer.

Summer had 18 inches of her beautiful golden hair chopped off on Monday July 3 at - aptly named - Summerfield Primary School.

What made this extra special is that mum Kirsty, a qualified hairdresser, was the one doing the cutting!

Summer is absolutely smashing her fundraising so far. With an initial target of £1,000, she has already doubled it and more, at over £2,200 raised so far, with plenty more still expected to come in.

It doesn’t stop there; Summer is also kindly donating her lovely locks to the Little Princess Trust who provide free wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair.

Summer was inspired to fundraise for Young Lives vs Cancer after hearing about Jean’s House in Southampton, one of the charity’s 11 Homes from Home.

These Homes are a lifeline for families with a child with cancer, providing a free place to stay close to the hospital where their child is having treatment, which can often be many miles away from their own home.

Summer’s mum Kirsty said:

“Summer is really rocking her new hair and feeling fab about it.

"I’m so proud of Summer for doing it. Me shaving her head was the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done, but I wouldn’t have let anyone else do it, nor would Summer have allowed them to either!

“It was entirely Summer’s decision to it; she said ‘why get a bob when you can do a head shave and raise even more awareness’.

"We chose to support Young Lives vs Cancer as it’s such a great charity helping children and their families through an incredibly tough time.”

Last year on the Isle of Wight, Young Lives vs Cancer supported 13 families, giving out 14 financial grants to the value of £3,000, helping families to cope with the costs of cancer.

Miffy Kilby, Young Lives vs Cancer Fundraising Engagement Officer for the Isle of Wight, said:

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Summer for so bravely stepping up to raise funds for Young Lives vs Cancer with her incredible head shave!

"It is such a kind and selfless thing to do, by not only donating her beautiful hair to the Little Princess Trust, but raising such a phenomenal amount for young people facing cancer and their families."

To make a donation and support Summer’s incredible fundraising, you can visit her Just Giving page here.