Katie Hender runs her fingers through her long blonde hair and it falls forward over her shoulders to rest below her hips.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is blonde, thick and now a talking point of family and friends as they rally to financially support Katie's choice to cut it this Friday in Taree to create a wig and to raise money for 'Hair with Heart' Variety - The Children's Charity. Katie is also inviting the community to support her choice to gift her hair and recently opened an Everyday Hero account to collect donations.
Katie will sit in The Barber's Chair in Manning Street, Taree on Friday, October 25 at 9am, a hairdresser will secure her hair into a ponytail and then cut off 35.5cm - the amount required by Hair with Heart to make a wig for a person who has lost their hair due to a medical condition.
She is looking forward to gifting her hair and says "it will make a wig that will look pretty and they can play with it."
She knows community donations will be used to "help sick children and maybe it will make them feel better." As of October 22 Katie's Everyday Hero account had more than $1100 and she is hoping to raise more than $2000. According to Hair with Heart, wigs cost families up to $6000, last one to two years, and can mean families spend tens of thousands of dollars on the purchase of wigs throughout a child's youth.
Katie's mother, Lauren Hender says she "could not be prouder of Katie making the decision years ago to grow and donate her hair."
She has learned to maintain it well, even at times when all the knots seemed endless.
- Lauren Hender
"She has learned to maintain it well, even at times when all the knots seemed endless," Lauren said.
"I am so happy that she has also raised some money to assist this great charity that supports children and families.
"It's lovely to see her compassion for others grow and watch her make a commitment to make a difference in other people's lives."
To donate to Katie's Everyday Hero page, click here.
Also making news ...
While you're with us...
Did you know the Manning River Times is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: SIGN UP HERE.