Close shave for Swindon grandma fundraising for cancer charity

Swindon blogger and author Angela Atkinson is planning a hair-raising experience when she next sees her stylist.

The 68-year-old  is getting a buzzcut to raise funds for a charity which supports children with cancer, and to raise awareness of what they do.

Angela, well-known for penning the blog Born Again Swindonian, and who is also heritage columnist with Link sister publication The Ink, discovered Little Princess Trust after her eight-year-old granddaughter, Millie, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s-Lymphoma.

 

The charity provides free wigs for children and young people up to the age of 24 who lose their hair as a result of chemotherapy. 

The wigs are made using human hair that has been donated, often by children. Seeing these selfless acts from youngsters inspired Angela to do something. 

“Finding out Millie has cancer was a complete shock to us all, but she is a very brave little girl," Angela said. "She is coping with her treatment and responding well.

“Through Millie’s diagnosis, we discovered Little Princess Trust, which not only provides wigs but funds research into treatments for children’s cancers. I wanted to help so have decided to brave a buzzcut to raise funds and awareness.”

Angela has already beaten her target of raising £700, which is the cost of making one wig, and is now hoping to raise enough for two or even three.

She said: “I was fairly sure that, given the generosity of my network, I could raise the target amount. But I have been overwhelmed by the response and the amount raised so far, way past the target and I am so grateful to everyone for their support.”

Angela will be treated to the buzzcut by her mobile hairdresser on 21 November. To sponsor her and help her raise funds for Little Princess Trust, people can visit her Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/angela-atkinson-1731186297770