Brave schoolgirl snips her locks for kids in need
A Murray Bridge primary school student has had her hair cut off to help children experiencing medical hair loss.
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A Murray Bridge primary school student has had her hair cut off to help children experiencing medical hair loss.
Murray Bridge North School student Scarlett Gilgen bravely allowed her long hair to be cut on Friday as part of the Variety Hair with Heart challenge.
She did this so that her hair could be used to create wigs for children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions such as alopecia or cancer.
On top of the highly thoughtful gesture, Scarlett has raised more than $1700 in donations from family, friends and members of the Murray Bridge community through a Hair with Heart fundraising page.
The money will help support children who are sick, disadvantaged or living with disability.
But the benefits of Scarlett’s hair cut go beyond the obvious.
Her actions inspired other students at Murray Bridge North School and generated conversations about the need for kindness and empathy – a particularly crucial message in the world at present.
Scarlett already has a game plan to help children when she grows up.
“I want to be a principal at my school, but I’ll have to be a teacher first,” she said.
“It’s fun to do, and it’s teaching kids how to be better and how to live their dreams.”
Scarlett Gilgen shows off her long hair before and during her haircut. Photos: Variety, Michael X. Savvas.
School principal Nathan Taylor was impressed at Scarlett's ambitions.
“She’ll make an amazing principal – I want to see her do that,” he said.
“Someone wanting to educate others, in itself, is selfless.
“She’s a child who’s always looking on the outer, not so much on the inner; she’s always looking at how she can help people, and the conversations I have with her all the time are about others.
“She’s just got a kind heart.”
Scarlett’s mum Kierra said she couldn’t be more proud of her daughter.
“Since she could talk ... she’s always wanted to do things for other people, which I think is great.”
- Donate: hairwithheart.variety.org.au.
- Read more: Murray Bridge North School student wins Christmas card competition
