“I didn’t know my hair was worth so much!” – Firth schoolboy to get the chop for charity

A Firth Primary schoolboy has grown an impressive head of hair and decided to get the chop and donate his lion-like mane to charity.

Thorfinn Leonard, 8, will be donating around 12 inches of his locks to the Little Princess Trust – an organisation that provides free real-hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

Thorfinn has also raised nearly £1,000 through a JustGiving page for the charity – nearly enough to cover the cost of two wigs being made.

He has smashed his original modest £60 target saying he is surprised at just how much his hair is worth!

Thorfinn’s mum, Becky, said the family including Dad Sweyn, big brother Finlay and Rocco the dog, are incredibly proud.

Becky said: “Thorfinn last had a ‘proper’ haircut in January 2020. Then lockdown happened and he didn’t fancy mum’s haircut skills after seeing me let loose with the clippers on Finlay! By the time the hairdressers opened up again he really liked his long hair and didn't want to get it cut. He had a peedie trim for our wedding in April last year when the hairdresser mentioned he could donate it. He thought about getting it cut at Christmas but changed his mind but has decided (after brushing it has become too much of an issue) now is the time.

“Thorfinn says he loves his long hair but is happy that someone else will get to have his hair and says it will make a lovely wig for someone. He wants it cut like Finlays! We couldn't be more proud of him. It is such a wonderful thing to do. I feel quite emotional about it and can’t picture him with short hair again! He can't believe how much money he has raised so far and says ‘I didn’t know my hair was worth so much’.

“We would all like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has so generously donated already – we are all blown away by the total so far.”

It is planned for the cut to happen in the next few weeks, and we will update thereafter. In the meantime, if you can donate to the cause on the Just Giving page.

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “As adults we could all learn a thing or two from many of our young folk in Orkney who showcase great empathy for others. Well done Thorfinn for your hair-raising charitable effort – and, as always, to the generosity of folk all around for what is a very worthy cause.”

Visit www.littleprincesses.org.uk for more information.