Marianne’s new hairstyle raises £2,000 at a snip

The 35-year-old got 22 inches taken off the length of her marvellous mane at an event in New Mossley Elim Church on Saturday (August 3) so that she could donate the hair to the Little Princess Trust - a charity which provides real-hair wigs to boys and girls who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Marianne, who has Down’s Syndrome, has also been using her haircut to raise funds for CLIC Sargent’s Homes from Home appeal, which is aiming to build accommodation close to two local hospitals for the families of young cancer patients.

Marianne lost her father, Ronnie to cancer 15 years ago. And her mum was diagnosed with the disease a year later but thankfully made a full recovery.

Her mother, Anne, said that Saturday’s event had attracted a great crowd, including several local councillors, the Deputy Mayor and Mayor Fraser Agnew.

And thanks to the expertise of hairdresser Connor Kerr, Marianne is now wearing a beautifully styled bob.

“The event went really well and there was a great turnout. In all 22 inches was cut off and it is now on the way to the Little Princess Trust to make a wig,” Anne told the Times.

“Marianne loves her new haircut. She’s parading around as if she’s the bees knees and everyone is recognising her. She’s really happy that the hair is away in the post to the Little Princess Trust.”

Anne said that thanks to a series of generous donations, including £100 from the Mayor’s office, they have far exceeded their £1,000 fundraising target.

“The donations are still coming in and at this stage we are already over the £2,000 mark. We should know the full total once I collect the buckets from the Manse Road filling station and The Chippy.

“We have collected £2,037 so far, but there is money still to come in and the final total will be well over £2,000,” she added.

“We’ve had a great response from so many people, particularly people in the estate, and I just want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported the fundraiser.”

Donations can still be made online at www.justgiving.com/mariannehaircut