Six-year-old has hair chopped after sister's illness

A six-year-old girl has had her hair chopped to help the charity that donated a wig to her older sister who underwent chemotherapy.
The girls with mother Julia Jones. Photo by Derek Martin. SUS-160627-221611008The girls with mother Julia Jones. Photo by Derek Martin. SUS-160627-221611008
The girls with mother Julia Jones. Photo by Derek Martin. SUS-160627-221611008

Julia Jones, 45, of Leconfield Road in Lancing, watched her nine-year-old daughter Francesca treated for fancomi anemia, a rare genetic condition that can lead to bone marrow failure, and organ defects.

Francesca lost her hair to chemotherapy while undergoing treatment, but was donated a wig made from human hair by the Little Princess Trust.

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As a result, her younger sister Lilly, who attends The Globe Primary School, asked for her hair to be chopped 14 inches after watching her sister recover.

Six year old Lilly donated her hair to charity in support of her sister Francesca, nine. Photo by Derek Martin. SUS-160627-221637008Six year old Lilly donated her hair to charity in support of her sister Francesca, nine. Photo by Derek Martin. SUS-160627-221637008
Six year old Lilly donated her hair to charity in support of her sister Francesca, nine. Photo by Derek Martin. SUS-160627-221637008

Julia said: “The wig helped her to come out onto the street without feeling she had a bald head. Lilly saw how Francesca was and she now wants to give something back.

“I am extremely proud of her. Their grandma doesn’t want us to cut her hair at all. For Lilly though, if she can make that decision on her own then she should go for it. It is amazing.”

The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children across the UK and Ireland who have lost their hair to cancer treatment, alopecia, and other rare conditions.

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The trust runs a number of campaigns and fundraising events, and has recently had hair donated from One Direction member Harry Styles.

Lilly having her hair cut at Jago's in Lancing.Lilly having her hair cut at Jago's in Lancing.
Lilly having her hair cut at Jago's in Lancing.

Julia spoke to Jago’s hairdresser in Queen’s Parade, Lancing who said they were ‘extremely happy’ to cut Lilly’s hair for charity, free of charge, and her hair was cut last weekend.

Julia added: “Francesca is now doing really well after 19 months. She is recovering and is doing everything a nine-year-old should be doing. We go every month for check-up’s but she is doing really well.

“Her hair started growing back fairly quickly. I think she wore the wig for about four months. I just got on with it. I persevered and was strong, and got the two girls through it.”

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For more information on the trust and what it does, readers can visit the website at www.littleprincesses.org.uk, or call 01432 760060 for a wig or 01432 352359 to donate hair or other enquiries.

The hair cut measures up at 14 inches.The hair cut measures up at 14 inches.
The hair cut measures up at 14 inches.

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