As the clock ticked passed 4.15pm on Friday (November 12), Pippa Southam's beautiful long locks were no more. And at the same time the six-year-old incredibly raised more than $4300 for Variety.
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Pippa decided to do her bit to help those less fortunate, cutting her hair so it can be made into a wig, hoping to be able to help children who suffer with Alopecia Areata, a condition that causes them to lose their hair. Or for others who suffer other conditions that might require them to have a wig.
She sat patiently, and perhaps a little nervously, as her hair, which reached almost down to her waist, was platted into pigtails before it could be cut.
The team at Maiden Hair Salon at South Nowra backed her efforts, with staff member Jenna Madex given the task of performing the precious trimming.
Pippa, a kindergarten student at Illaroo Road Public, has only ever rarely had a few centimetres trimmed from her hair.
But more recently she became interested in possibly donating her hair, and had more than 35 centimetres cut off her beautiful locks.
Through Variety, the Children's Charity, who do such a great job helping and supporting children and families who are facing many challenges through sickness, disadvantage or living with a disability, Pippa has donated her hair to the organisation's Hair With Heart campaign.
Variety provides support for kids who have lost their hair due to a medical condition, through grants for wigs, funding the Variety Alopecia Areata Adventure Camp and providing therapy grants.
And a fundraising campaign has seen $4370 raised.
Her mother Kim said both she and her husband Gareth were proud of Pippa's caring and generosity.
It feels funny to have such short hair but a lot lighter.
- Six-year-old Pippa Southam
"We are very proud of her," Kim said.
"We've talked about it a couple of times. She's had long hair forever and hadn't shown any interest to possibly donate it which was fine.
"Then she commented on how long it was (down to her waist) and did we think it was long enough to donate?"
But it's not just as simple as cutting your hair and that's it done.
The hair being donated must never have been dyed, and it must be at least 35.5 centimetres long to be donated.
"We measured Pippa's and from the base of her neck she has 45 centimetres," Kim said.
She ended up with hair just below her shoulders.
"It's a lot of hair for a young girl to lose," Kim said.
"For a long time she didn't even want to get a haircut at all. It's been trimmed a couple of times but she has always wanted to keep her hair long.
"Pippa's hair is also very thick and long and she said it gets heavy when she swims and takes a long time to brush."
Pippa's grandfather Kevin Carter is involved with Variety and knew about the Hair With Heart program and suggested they would be a great recipient for Pippa's beautiful locks.
Up to 10 to 20 ponytails are needed to construct just one wig and it can cost up to $6000 to make a human hair wig.
Each natural hair wig only has an expected lifespan of two to three years.
"For so many families of kids suffering Alopecia that cost is just too prohibitive," Kim said.
"We jumped on the Variety website, which has means for such fundraising events, and set up our fundraising effort as well."
While saying they had initially hoped to raise $250, the family had been "blown away" by the ongoing support and increased the goal to $500.
At the time Pippa had her haircut on Friday afternoon she had raised a staggering $4370, including one $2000 donation on Friday alone.
"We are just so appreciative of everyone who supported us," Kim said.
"We never thought we would raise this much.
"We must also thank Jonina Menzies and her team at Maiden Hair who were fantastic with their support."
As for Pippa, she said it "feels funny" to have such short hair, but a "lot lighter"
And you can still donate to back Pippa's efforts go to https://hairwithheart.variety.org.au/fundraisers/kimsoutham/hair-with-heart
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