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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Robert Dalling

Young rugby prop grows 24in hair after not having it cut for three years

A kind-hearted 11-year-old boy who hasn't cut his hair for three years is set to donate 24in of his hair for a very worthy cause. Iolo, from Barry, started growing his hair during the Covid lockdowns and it is now nearly long enough to sit on.

But now he has decided it is time to go for the chop and donate his long locks to the Little Princess Trust. The charity create wigs for children and young people who have experienced hair loss through cancer treatment or other conditions. The year six pupil also wanted to use this as a chance to raise some money for Make 2nds Count in memory of his mum’s friend Emily who died last year following a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer.

He said: “Lots of people assume I’m a girl but I just shrug and tell them I’m a boy with long hair. It doesn’t bother me. I like my hair. It’s majestic but I think this is as long as it will go.”

READ MORE: 'I was told over and over I just had a kidney infection, but it turned out to be cancer'

Iolo's mum said she is 'very proud of him' (Little Princess Trust)
Iolo flicks his long hair (Little Princess Trust)

His mum, Megan added: “I’m very proud of Iolo. He’s had so many compliments on the colour and condition of his hair but he understands that it will make a big difference to another child who loses theirs. Emily didn’t use her wig every day but having the option meant a lot. She was the first friend who visited Iolo when he was born and I love that he thought of her when he suggested using the hair cut for fundraising.”

Iolo’s two feet of hair will be cut at the annual Good Friday match at Penarth RFC where Penarth Youth are hosting Pontypridd Youth on April 7. There will be collections on the day for the Little Princess Trust as it costs £550 to create each wig. Iolo also has a JustGiving page for people to donate to Make 2nds Count, a patient- and family-focused charity raising awareness and funding medical research into secondary breast cancer. You can donate by clicking here.

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