Kayla’s amazing fundraising hair chop by Sarah Williams
Six-year old Kayla Brass has had her long hair cut off to raise money for Kidney Research UK, and in memory of her grandad.
Her hair cut was one of the highlights at a fundraising spring fair organised by Kayla’s mum, Jess, on the Isle of Arran, where the family lives.
As well as raising just under £2,000 for Kidney Research UK, Kayla’s cut hair was sent off to The Little Princess Trust, which make wigs for children with cancer and other illnesses.
Kayla’s ‘Gramps’, Ricky MacDonald, died quite suddenly in 2017 while on dialysis and waiting for a kidney transplant. Together with her mum, Jess MacDonald, Kayla planned for over a year and half for the fundraising event.
“Mum and me got together ages ago to plan this,” said Kayla. “My Gramps was amazing and I loved him so much, so I really wanted to do something to remember him by.
“We agreed I would grow my hair real long and then have it cut to raise money for charity.”
Jess said: “Kayla has been a wee star. She was so brave having her gorgeous hair chopped off on stage in front of so many people. I’m very proud of her.”
The event was a huge success with home baking, craft tables, bespoke handmade goods from local craft businesses, face painting for the children and a couple of raffles.
Jess continued: “I couldn’t have pulled it off without the island’s support. So many individuals and businesses came together to celebrate the memory of Dad and to support a little girl to do something wonderful for charity. It’s helped me deal with my grief and be able to give something back in my Dad’s name. I’m really thankful to everyone who was involved.
“We’ve done this to raise money for Kidney Research UK, a charity very close to our hearts, and which funds research to try and find cures for kidney diseases. Any organisation that works to help kidney patients, from improving treatments and care, to making transplants better is something I’d encourage everyone to support.”
If you’d like to contribute to Kayla’s fundraising, check out her JustGiving page.
Jess also makes jewellery, donating a percentage from every sale to Kidney Research UK in memory of her father.
If you've got a great idea for your own fundraising, check out all our supporting resources, or call our team on 0300 303 1100.
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