Youngster chops hair in memory of late friend
A kind-hearted youngster is fundraising in honour of her late best friend who died of a rare childhood cancer in 2015, when the girls were both five years old.
Sophia Abraham, nine, has already raised more than £1,000 since November for Acorns Hospice.
She is helping not one, but two charities, by cutting off her long hair to raise well-needed funds to help the Walsall children’s hospice from closure.
Sophia, who has been growing her hair for the past few years, has also donated her recently-cut pony tails to The Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides real hair wigs to children with hair loss.
Sophia, from Lichfield, was inspired to crowd fund for the hospice after losing her best friend Isobel Green, who she had been friends with since they were both a few months old and learnt to swim together. After an 18-month battle with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, Isobel passed away in August 2015.
Isobel, along with her family, have been supported by the hospice in Walsall both during her fight against the disease as well as afterwards. The charity provides babies, children and young people who have life limiting or threatening conditions with a network of specialist palliative nursing care and support.
To commemorate Isobel’s legacy, all the proceeds from Sophia’s fundraiser will go to the ‘Save Acorn’s Black Country Hospice’ appeal, which is seeking donations to ensure the charity can provide a service to families in need over the next four years and beyond.
Sophia got her haircut at Theo Georgio in Sutton Coldfield.
Sophia's mother Gail said: “I am beyond proud of Sophia for her commitment to raising money for such a worthwhile cause so close to our hearts, as well as the hair she has donated to The Little Princess Trust.
“The funds raised will make a real difference to saving Acorns Black Country Hospice. If the Walsall Hospice closes it will have a devastating impact on families within Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall and surrounding areas.
“We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated, including David Wilson Homes, we are incredibly grateful and pleased to announce that we have more then doubled our original target of £500!”
To donate to Sophia’s fundraiser visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sophia-teamisobel or make any cheques payable to Acorns Black Country Hospice.
