Newark woman has donated 60 inches of hair to Little Princess Trust since 2019
A girl who used to be a real-life Rapunzel for several years has taken the bold step to shave her head for charity.
Kim Lambert, of Newark, has donated a total of 60 inches of hair, equivalent to her own height of 5ft, to the Little Princess Trust since her first donation in 2019.
She started donating her hair in honour of her friend Jo Barratt, who died of cancer in July 2015, and over the years, cancer continued to affect the lives of friends and family.
In May 2019, Kim donated 20 inches of hair, another 14 inches in October 2023, then 12 inches in May 2024, and most recently, 14 inches this April.
This time, Kim decided not just to cut her hair, but to shave it entirely. She said: “I’ll never forget how bravely she [Jo] faced her treatment and having to shave her hair off.
“I know she would be very proud of me for doing this and honouring her memory.
“This fourth time, I decided to brave the shave because I believe doing so not only encourages fundraising but also raises visibility for the charity and highlights the importance of donations.
“It inspires others to consider growing and donating their hair too.”
Since its founding in 2005, The Little Princess Trust has provided thousands of free real-hair wigs to children and young people up to the age of 24 across the UK and Ireland, helping to restore confidence during challenging times.
In 2016, the charity expanded its mission to include funding vital research into childhood cancers, having supported over 150 projects aimed at finding kinder, more effective treatments for all childhood cancers.
Kim added: “I feel that hair is something we often take for granted. I’m incredibly lucky to have the choice to do this, in the hope of making a difference and bringing joy and kindness to those less fortunate
“It fills me with such gratitude to be able to gift something so personal to people who need it most. I know my hair will grow back, but for others, hair loss may not be temporary, and that’s something I never lose sight of.
“I truly believe we are not defined by our hair, but by the love and kindness we carry in our hearts.
“It’s important to remember that vulnerability is only temporary and hair can be a safety net for many, but it shouldn't define our beauty, and it certainly doesn't change who we are inside.
“If you don’t feel ready to shave, I encourage you to grow your hair and donate — it will grow back, and one day you'll look back at the memory with pride, knowing you made a powerful impact on someone’s life.”
