A pair of young Angus girls set a shining example for others in a weekend visit to the hair salon.
In hairdresser’s chairs miles apart, Forfar 10-year-old Abbie Fordyce and nine-year-old Carnoustie youngster Libby McLain had their long locks chopped to provide hair for the Little Princess Trust charity, which provides real hair wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment.
As well as supporting the trust in their separate ventures, between them Abbie and Libby have raised thousands of pounds for cancer research after deciding to do something to help those affected by the disease.
Abbie, a pupil at Forfar’s Whitehill primary, had around 10 inches cut from her long dark hair at Elements in the town and is sitting on a charity total of around £2,200 far above her target of £300.
Much of that has been donated through Abbie’s fundraising page on the Justgiving website.
She also plans to take on the Race for Life.
Mother Fiona Clark said: “We have had family members affected by cancer, and Abbie just wanted to do her bit to help. She set up her fundraising page in February, and it’s gone well from there.”
Meanwhile, across the county in Arbroath’s Dream hair salon, Carlogie primary five pupil Libby was also sitting down to say farewell to 40cm of her crowning glory, which has only previously been trimmed twice in her young life.
“She’s known for her long hair, but one of her friends donated to the Little Princess Trust and she really wanted to do something for them,” said big sister Heather Berg.
With around £800 in her charity pot from her fundraising page, Libby wasn’t worried about seeing the scissors come out.
“I was nervous when I walked in, but when I sat down I wasn’t at all,” she said. “I’m loving my short hair, and when it grows long again I’ll get it cut again.”
Heather, 16, added: “Because she’s always had long hair it was a brave thing for her to do, but she wanted to help a young person who is suffering from cancer and we’re so proud of her.”