Woman to chop off pigtails to help create wigs for kids in need

A medical photographer who has been growing her pigtails for more than eight years is preparing to chop them off for charity.

Anne Nyyssonen, who is based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary but also works at other hospitals across the city, plans to donate her long locks to the Little Princess Trust to help create wigs for children with hair loss issues.

The 38-year-old, who moved to Scotland from Finland 12 years ago, said: “We regularly photograph patients who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or different medical conditions, and it made me want to donate my hair.

“I’ve had my pigtails for such a long time that getting them cut does feel almost like losing a part of me, but it’s nothing compared to people with medical hair loss.

“I’m very happy and excited to do this for a good cause.”

“In my job I’ve seen how devastating it can be to lose one’s hair due to cancer treatment or different medical conditions. If it’s hard for adults, it’s often even harder for children as their self-image and coping mechanisms are still developing.

“Being able to wear a real hair wig can help as it feels and looks more natural than a synthetic one.

“Because my hair is long, thick and healthy, it should be ideal material for long hair wigs which are especially in demand at Little Princess Trust.

“My hair will hopefully help children experiencing hair loss feel like all the other kids – and get as many compliments for their hair as I have received.”

Wendy Tarplee-Morris, co-founder of The Little Princess Trust, said the charity is “incredibly grateful” for the support.

She added: “Her help means we can continue to provide real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people at a very difficult time in their lives.

“We know our wigs help to restore the confidence and identity of the young recipients but we can only provide this service thanks to the selfless acts of our brilliant supporters.”

Ms Nyyssonen, who will be getting the chop on October 3, also hopes to raise money for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.

The charity provided support and advice when a routine smear test showed that Ms Nyyssonen has high-risk HPV, meaning she is at higher risk of developing cervical cancer and will need to have further smear tests more regularly.

Samantha Dixon, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “We are immensely grateful to Anne for her fundraising efforts, and for braving the chop.

“We are really pleased that we could be there for Anne when she needed help understanding her cervical screening results.

“Receiving an abnormal result can be a really scary time but the money she has raised will mean that we can provide that same reassurance and comfort to many, many more.”

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