A remarkable young woman with Down’s syndrome has made a significant impact by contributing over 5 feet of hair to charitable causes – and she’s not done yet.
Keeley Thomas, a 17-year-old from Cambridgeshire, has raised thousands of pounds for organizations aiding individuals with disabilities through her selfless acts of donating her long locks. She hopes that her upcoming haircut will surpass the impressive £8,500 already raised for these charitable causes.
Following her next haircut, her luxurious tresses will find a new purpose with the Little Princess Trust, an organization that provides wigs to children undergoing cancer treatment.
Keeley firmly believes in the value of donating her hair when it becomes too lengthy. Despite her fondness for her long hair, she admits, “I love it when it’s shorter – it feels good.”
Her mother, Lindy Thomas, shared that Keeley had her first professional haircut at the age of five and only trims it every few years.
To date, Keeley has generously given away an astounding 5 feet and 7 inches (1.7 meters) of her hair to benefit the Little Princess Trust. Her commitment to charity continues as she prepares for her fourth hair donation, parting with another 2 feet (0.6 meters) of her locks next month at The Green Man pub in Shepreth.
Her upcoming charity chop will support two noteworthy causes: Home-Start, a charity in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire that assists families with children who have physical, social, and emotional needs, and Follow Your Dreams, a national charity that inspires young individuals with learning disabilities through creative and interactive events.
Ms. Thomas revealed that Keeley has always treasured her long hair. She recalled, “When she was younger, I used to have to stand her in the bath to wash it. Then when it was down to her knees, I said, ‘Shall we give it to children who don’t have any?’ And she liked that idea.”
Every haircut now becomes a joyous occasion, complete with sponsorship and raffle events that place Keeley at the center of attention, something she relishes.
Keeley is a passionate performer and an active member of various musical and theater groups, including Project 21 in Cambridge, which provides activities for individuals with Down’s syndrome and operates clubs throughout East Anglia. With dreams of gracing the West End stage, she aspires to become a West End performer.
Ms. Thomas expressed her hopes for her daughter’s future, saying, “I’d love her to be able to follow her dream and get on the West End stage – you never know.”
Phil Brace, the chief executive of the Little Princess Trust, lauded Keeley’s contributions, stating, “It’s amazing to hear how Keeley has grown her hair and cut it on numerous occasions. The donated hair will be made into one of our amazing wigs, as without the support of people like Keeley, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”