Mum getting the chop for Children's Heart Surgery Fund

A mum from Kippax will be cutting off 45cm of her hair to raise funds for a charity who provided her son with open heart surgery.
A mum from Kippax will be cutting off 45cm of her hair to raise funds for a charity who provided her son with open heart surgeryA mum from Kippax will be cutting off 45cm of her hair to raise funds for a charity who provided her son with open heart surgery
A mum from Kippax will be cutting off 45cm of her hair to raise funds for a charity who provided her son with open heart surgery

Gemma Blackhurst, 28, has been growing her hair most of her life, and since the age of 14 her hair has remained between 70cm to 80cm in length.

But on Saturday, August 8, she will be chopping most of it off to raise money for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund in Leeds, who provided her four-year-old son, Miles, with open heart surgery when he was just 10 weeks old.

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Her hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust who provide real hair wigs to children and young people with hair loss.

Miles had open heart surgery at just 10 weeks old, provided by the Childrens Heart Surgery Fund in LeedsMiles had open heart surgery at just 10 weeks old, provided by the Childrens Heart Surgery Fund in Leeds
Miles had open heart surgery at just 10 weeks old, provided by the Childrens Heart Surgery Fund in Leeds

Gemma said: “I’d originally planned to cut my hair off as part of a bigger fundraising event, organised by a parent support group I’m a part of called Kippax and Surrounding Areas Heart Families.

“Obviously with coronavirus, we’ve had to postpone it until next year, but I’m still going forward with cutting my hair as a separate fundraiser.

“I’ll be doing it via a Facebook livestream where people can watch and I’ve set up a justgiving page so people can donate leading upto the event.”

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Gemma still works closely with the Leeds based Children’s Heart surgery Fund, as they check up on Miles every two years.

Her hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust who provide real hair wigs to children and young people with hair lossHer hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust who provide real hair wigs to children and young people with hair loss
Her hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust who provide real hair wigs to children and young people with hair loss

They run on volunteer work and charity donations, helping around 420 babies, children and adults with congenital heart disease from the surrounding area need open heart surgery every year, provided by the Children's Heart Surgery Fund.

Gemma said: “Luckily, Miles doesn’t need another checkup until next February.

“The CHSF have really struggled throughout lockdown, all their fundraising has moved virtually, that’s why I’m cutting my hair over a Facebook live video”

Click here to watch Gemma's live stream

To donate, see the JustGiving page