On Saturday 8th June, seven-year-old Pippa, a bubbly and compassionate Year 2 student at Bilton Grange Prep School, made a remarkable contribution to the Little Princess Trust. With a heart full of kindness and a mission to help children in need, Pippa had ten inches of her long, blonde hair chopped off to donate to the charity. Her generous act not only provided hair for wigs but also raised an impressive £1,170 for the organisation.

Pippa's mother, Katy Steventon, inspired by a similar spirit of generosity, had also donated ten inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust in September 2020. Seeing the positive impact her mother’s donation had made, Pippa was determined to follow in her footsteps and make her own mark.

The Little Princess Trust is a charity that provides free, real hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other conditions. Founded in 2006, the Trust has grown into a significant source of support and hope for families going through challenging times. The wigs provided by the charity are meticulously crafted from the hair donated to ensure they look as natural as possible, helping to restore the confidence and self-esteem of the young recipients. 

Tim Wheeler, who previously taught at Bilton Grange, is the charity's chair of trustees. Working with the excellent Little Princess Trust team, he has been thrilled to see the charity expand its outreach and increase the number of wigs provided each year. Tim is known for his efforts running marathons dressed as his alter ego, Scissorman, to help raise awareness of and funds for the charity's work. His dedication has inspired many, including Pippa and her family, to contribute to the charity in meaningful ways. "Without our fantastic supporters, like Pippa and her mum, who donate their hair and raise funds," says Tim "we would not be able to do what we do. Each wig costs £700 to make, style and fit and they are all funded from the money raised by our generous supporters. In addition, we are able to fund research into better and kinder treatments providing hope for a brighter future for those affected."

Pippa’s decision to donate her hair and raise funds for the Little Princess Trust was met with overwhelming support from her school and community. Her classmates and teachers at Bilton Grange Prep School were incredibly proud of her selfless act. The school even allowed Pippa to speak in their weekly ‘Super Skills’ assembly to celebrate Pippa’s achievement, where she shared her experience and encouraged others to consider how they might help those in need.

“I wanted to help children who don’t have hair because of being poorly,” Pippa explained. “My mummy did it, and I saw how happy it made people, so I wanted to do the same.”

Katy, Pippa’s mum, expressed her pride in her daughter’s compassionate spirit. “Pippa has always been a caring and thoughtful child. When she decided she wanted to donate her hair, I was incredibly proud. It’s wonderful to see her learning the importance of helping others and making a positive difference in the world.”

The Chessell family’s commitment to the Little Princess Trust highlights the impact that individual actions can have on a larger scale. Through their donations, both Pippa and Katy have helped bring smiles and hope to children facing difficult challenges.

For those inspired by Pippa’s story and interested in supporting the Little Princess Trust, there are many ways to get involved. Whether through hair donations, fundraising events, or monetary contributions, every effort helps the charity continue its invaluable work. As Pippa has shown, even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in the lives of others.

For more information about the Little Princess Trust and how to support their mission, visit their website at www.littleprincesses.org.uk.