Girl, 10, cuts off 13 inches of hair to make wig for cancer patient

Lexie Warwick-Oliver has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which makes getting her haircut hard because she does not like to be touched. Her hair has been donated to a charity which provides free wigs to young people with cancer and other conditions.

Sunday 19 May 2024 13:47, UK

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A 10-year-old girl who cut off her hair for charity for a second time has said she feels "really proud".

Lexie Warwick-Oliver, from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, had the chop on Saturday afternoon and is now donating 13 inches of hair to make a wig for a young person with cancer.

"I'm feeling really proud of myself," she said.

"I felt a bit nervous at first, but I really like my hair now and I'm really relieved it is over and done with."

Lexie has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - which made the haircut even more challenging.

"It's very difficult for Lexie to let anybody touch her because of her autism, so we did struggle a bit today, but we got through it," said Lexie's mother, Jess Warwick-Oliver.

The hair salon in Horsforth offered Lexie a discount and gave her some curly hair products after they found out why she was having the cut.

Her hair will be posted to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides free wigs to young people who have lost their hair due to cancer or other conditions.

Lexie will receive a certificate from the charity to congratulate her on her efforts.

In 2021, the youngster cut off 16 inches of hair for the charity, as well as raising £500 to support the daughter of a family friend who had leukaemia.

It took Lexie three years to grow out her hair again so that she had enough to be turned into a wig.

The 10-year-old has also been raising money for sensory items for those with additional needs at Howard Park Community School, her primary school.

She wants to get bubble lights, fidget spinners and space blankets for pupils as she has first-hand experience of the benefits.

"They make me feel better, more regulated and calmer," she said.

When asked what her message was to others who have autism or ADHD, Lexie said: "Don't let anyone try to stop you from achieving your goals. Ignore them and keep going."

The schoolgirl added she hopes she can inspire others to follow her hair-cutting example.

"Hopefully they'll see what I did and feel comfortable enough to cut their hair and donate to people with cancer, so it'll make them feel better," she said.

"Don't be nervous about cutting off hair - be brave, it'll grow back."

Ms Warwick-Oliver said she is "so proud" of her daughter.

"She's done this and it has been so selfless - she's not done it for herself, it's for two causes and I'm really proud of her."

Girl, 10, cuts off 13 inches of hair to make wig for cancer patient

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