Kindhearted teenager Izzy Evans has had her long hair cut to raise money for the Katy Holmes Trust.
14 year old Izzy, a Year 10 pupil at Archbishop Temple CE High School, took the brave decision to have her long hair cut short in memory of 10-year-old Katy Holmes who died due to an inoperable brain tumour in January 2011.
Izzy went to Dotty Lines hairdressers in Preston for her hair cut and donated her hair so that it could be made into a wig for children who have lost their hair through chemotherapy.
Izzy said: “When I heard the story about Katy Holmes, it made me feel very sad that this young girl had died so suddenly of a brain tumour and I wanted to do something to support the charity launched in her memory. I have always had long hair, so I thought having it cut short would be a good way of raising some money. I already have almost £300 in sponsorship and I am hoping to raise more.”
Izzy’s mum Jenny said: “This was all Izzy’s own idea and I am proud that she did it for such a worthwhile cause.”
Technology teacher and head of Durham House at Archbishop Temple CE High School, Michael Carter, said: “Each year, we raise money for a charity and this year, the pupils in Durham House have chosen to support the Katy Holmes Trust.
“In past years, we have supported charities including Help For Heroes which we raised more than £1,000 for during the course of the year. This year, we decided we wanted to support a local cause and one of the tutors brought in the idea about the Katy Holmes Trust and all the pupils were very supportive of this as Katy was a young girl who sadly died after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
“We will be holding a variety of fundraising events throughout the school year and even though we are only one term in, we have already raised around £550 for the Katy Holmes Trust.
“As well as organising group fundraising events, I asked any pupils with ideas for individual fundraising events to approach me and I was delighted when Izzy came forward and told me she was prepared to cut off her hair to raise money for the charity.
“It is particularly touching that Izzy came up with this idea herself and as well as raising money for the Katy Holmes Trust, Izzy is donating her cut off hair to be made into wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer and this is a lovely gesture. I am very proud of Izzy.”