A Barrow pupil is preparing to lose his longs locks when he takes part in his second charity head shave.
Thomas Machell, who attends Chetwynde Primary School, will have his blond hair chopped at Asylum 287 barbers in Barrow on his 11th birthday next month to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK, a cause close to his heart.
Thomas, who lives with chronic asthma and has experienced serious breathing difficulties since his first asthma attack at just 10 months old, is no stranger to hospitals, nebulisers, and daily challenges. Yet, he is determined to help others.
He said: “I’m only 10, but I’ve already had more hospital visits than I can count. Asthma affects me every day — but I still want to make a difference.”
When he was seven, after losing his young cousin to epilepsy, he decided to grow out his hair and shave it all off to raise funds for the Epilepsy Society — raising over £3,000 and donating his hair to The Little Princess Trust, which creates wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer and other illnesses.
Three years later, he’s doing it again with the hair going back to the charity.
Mum Salli Kidson said he had been growing his hair with the sole purpose of having it cut again for charity.
She added: “I am immensely proud of him. He will be donating his beautiful blonde locks to the Little Princess Trust again to be made into more wigs, however this time he would like to raise awareness and money for Asthma + Lung UK.”
Head of primary Reece Edwards said: “Thomas is an inspiring young person who has his own health challenges but is determined to help others.
“He is a great role model for our school values of respect, responsibility and resilience.”
Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/page/thomas-haircutround2
