Meah shares her hair

meah-steer-6-of-westbury-donates-her-long-locks-to-wig-making-for-kids-who-have-lost-their-hair

JANUARY 2017 | Heather Summers

THERE ARE people who have used the carbon in their hair to make diamonds. More disturbingly, in the past, hair has served as a raising agent in bread.

When six year old Meah Steer of Westbury had her hair cut in December, she decided on a much better use.

Donating her hair to children’s charity Variety, it will be used to make wigs for kids undergoing chemotherapy.

Meah first heard about the possibility of hair donation when seeing a child who had undergone treatment on the internet, with her Mum, Debbie. “She’s always had long hair,” said Debbie, “and has never wanted it cut before now.” But after seeing the need, Meah decided to do it.

Never having had her hair cut, it was quite long, but still needed to grow some more before cutting to the required length of 35 centimetres.

But last month, with Meah’s family looking on, hairdresser Pip was able to follow the specifications provided by Variety in order to make the special bundles of hair.

As well as providing the raw material for the wigs, Meah has raised over a thousand dollars for the charity. And Meah’s message for those who will benefit from her gift? “I hope you like it!”

Photo | Mike Moores