Donated Afro Hair Wigs Now Possible Thanks to UK Girl
A British girl who was told her afro hair was too delicate to donate for wig-making prompted a new wig-making approach to use it, BBC News reports.
When eleven year old Carly Gorton wanted to donate her afro hair to the Little Princess Trust charity, which makes natural hair wigs for children who have lost theirs from cancer treatment and other causes, she was initially frustrated as the charity said the hair was too delicate. Undeterred, Carly had urged the charity to rethink, which it did.
Following research and a trial to make them possible, the charity described the new wigs as a “historic breakthrough”.
“It’s really beautiful,” said Carly, of one of the new wigs.
A BMJ study showed that wigs positively impact psychological wellbeing for people with alopecia, attributed to increasing their confidence of going out in public and the perception of fewer comments about hair loss.
At a special school assembly, Carly’s mother Anna Mudeka then cut her daughter’s hair and it was donated for use in the first new wigs to be worn by other children.
Phil Brace, The Little Princess Trust’s chief executive, said Carly’s “determination” to donate her hair had pushed them to find a solution.
The charity worked with the 120-year-old London company Raoul to develop a wefting method to weave and tie the donated locks.
Carly’s mother, Anna Mudeka, said: “History has been made and we are so proud of Carly.
“Through her sheer determination and everyone pulling together to hear her voice, children of black and mixed heritage can now donate their hair to the Little Princess Trust.”
Ms Mudeka, of Southburgh, added that children needing wigs through illness could now receive a wig “true to their heritage”.
Carly and her mother’s campaign had created a “fundamental change in wig manufacturing”, said Mr Brace. “The commitment and work that has gone on has shown just what is possible when groups of people get together and bring different skills to find a solution.”
Source: BBC News
