FIFTY Methodist Ladies’ College students parted with their luscious locks on Wednesday to give to children in need.
The Claremont college has run the annual Pony Chop event since 2013, with a record number of girls from Years 7-12 getting on board this year.
Year 12 Service Captain Bec O’Brien said the donated hair would be made into wigs for children suffering from alopecia or cancer.
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READ NOW“Each year we choose a charity, and this year we’re supporting Variety (Children’s Charity),” she said.
“Basically you have to have more than 20cm cut off your hair, which can’t have any colour in it, then that gets shipped off to New South Wales to make wigs for kids with no hair.”
Service Captain Amelia Channer-Holmes, who participated last year, said she was overwhelmed by her fellow students’ support.
“The camaraderie has been astounding, it’s a really great tradition for us to get behind,” Amelia said.
“One girl, Cissi (pictured), donated 40cm of her long blonde hair.”
Maurice Mead in Claremont jumped on board, donating their time to cut the girls’ hair for the second year in a row, as well as giving participants discount vouchers.
Bec, who had been growing her hair since the inaugural event four years ago, said it was an emotional experience.
“The strangest thing is holding the hair in your hands,” she said.
“I got full goose bumps and was on the verge of tears because you realise we take our hair for granted.
“I get annoyed when it’s long, but then there are little kids out there with no hair, and there’s my hair I can give to them to give them confidence and feel good about themselves, that’s the best part about it.”