An Elgin schoolgirl is to emulate pop star Jessie J by having her head shaved to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund and cancer charities.
Elgin Academy pupil Alice Cunningham, 16, will have her head shaved to raise cash for RAF Lossiemouth’s ‘Airplay’ – and her hair will be sold to a charity that makes wigs for children with cancer.
Alice lives in Elgin with mum, dad and sisters Megan and Charlotte – but dad is currently serving in Afghanistan with 51Squadron of the RAF Regiment.
Explaining why she is taking such drastic action to help raise funding the brave youngster, who was born with unilateral hearing loss and wears a hearing aid as a result, said: “I joined Airplay at RAF Lossiemouth two and a half years ago and I really enjoy it.
“I’ve also volunteered at a few of the Airplay clubs and on trips and I’m working towards my volunteer award plus I’m currently doing the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.”
Speaking on the RAFBF website Alice added: “I’m planning to do my head shave in January.
“I wanted to raise money for Airplay as a way of thanking them for all that they do. I’ve had lots of support from people and I can’t wait to get my fundraising off the ground.
“I’ll be donating my hair to the Little Princess Trust so that children with cancer will be able to benefit from my head shave too. Usually it costs the charity about £350 for one wig.
“If my hair meets the criteria, it will be sent to the factory and the Trust will receive a large number of children’s wigs in return, which can be used free of charge.”
Mum Judith admitted that when her daughter first said she was having her head shaved she was “shocked – but incredibly proud”.
Judith said: “I was more than happy to give her my full support – we’re all incredibly proud of Alice. She has had to overcome quite a few challenges in her life, having been affected by valproate syndrome and hearing loss.
“Academically she has surpassed all of our expectations and nothing appears to be impossible for her now. She has matured into an incredibly caring and thoughtful young person. She is just amazing.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Alice’s efforts can do so via her ‘Just Giving’ page at http://www.justgiving.com/Judith-Cunningham