A seven-year-old Crowland girl is loving her new sharp short bob hairstyle – but especially because she is raising money for charity in memory of her “daddy in heaven”.
Ellie Coupland had eight inches cut off her long blonde locks yesterday (Wednesday) after growing her hair since November last year.
She said: “I had butterflies when it was being cut, but I’m still pleased I had it done. It looks nice – but it also looks different.
“I think I’m going to grow it again, though.”
Her hair was cut by Lianne Johnson at Hollywood Hair Studios and will be used to make a wig for a child having chemotherapy.
So far Ellie has raised more than £300 for Stamford Hospital’s John van Geest ward, which serves South Holland and is where her father, Phil, who died aged 40 of pancreatic cancer, was treated.
The salon also donated the price of the cut to Ellie’s charity.
Mum Claire is especially proud of what her daughter has done.
She said: “Ellie rushed through to me this morning and said ‘today is the day’.
“She loves her new style, which is great for the holidays because she doesn’t have to tie it back or get sun cream in it.
“But she says she is going to grow it again.
“I’m so proud of what she has done.
“I was pregnant when Ellie’s dad was dying with cancer, but she knows he gave her her first bottle and we had two lovely weeks together as a family.
“Since then I’ve remarried but she’s fine about that – she knows she has a daddy here and a daddy in heaven.”
“Phil didn’t want to die in hospital so he came home.
“For a carer in hospital you have the support of nurses, but at home on your own it can be terrifying.
“We want to create more homely surroundings at the ward for those who do not want to go to a hospice so families can still have the support they need, but it’s not so clinical.”
To sponsor Ellie, email claireschocolate@live.co.uk or call 07771962076