Brentwood School pupil haircut unlocks charity cash

Hair today...... gone on Friday!! Kind-hearted Brentwood School student Jess Ellis is cutting her luscious locks for charity and raising much-needed funds for an organisation which is very close to her heart.

The brave Sixth Former will have 12 inches cut off her auburn mane and all proceeds will go to Saint Francis Hospice who looked after her mum before she passed away in 2012. The hair itself will be donated to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which supplies wigs to girls who have had to go through chemotherapy and as a consequence lost their own hair.

Seventeen-year-old Jess said: “Saint Francis Hospice supports individuals with life limiting illnesses and their families. The hospice allowed me to create fond memories of my mum which I will cherish forever.

“Saint Francis Hospice has given me invaluable support over the past nine years, and I would like to give something back, and show my utmost gratitude for the guidance through grief they have given me. My long hair has always reminded me of my mum as I was lucky enough to get the hair gene from her, so deciding to cut it off albeit for a good cause has been a daunting decision to make.”

And it is not just Jess who is nervous about Friday’s after-school visit to the hair salon. Jess’ long locks are also her family’s pride and joy and they were initially horrified at her fundraising idea. That shock has now been replaced with joy as Jess has already surpassed her £1000 fund-raising target.

Since a nine-year-old, Jess left her birthday cake at the hospice for everyone to share - one of her fondest memories - Jess and her family have supported the hospice through charity events including a cake sale and mud run.

Sitting in that hairdresser’s chair will, however, be the most emotional and nerve-wracking fundraiser to date. We look forward to seeing the results! If you would like to sponsor Jess, please go to her gofundme page ‘Jessie’s Haircut for Saint Francis Hospice’.