By Brett Williamson.
An Adelaide teenager has donated her hair and $1,000 to help make a wig for a cancer patient at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Chelsea Ireland was inspired after watching a YouTube clip featuring a person donating their hair.
The 15-year-old spent several years growing her hair until it made it below waist length.
“It’s hair, it’s going to grow back,” she said.
“But the person who gets it can’t grow their own hair.”
The Royal Adelaide Hospital operates a wig recycling and loan service for patients who cannot afford to buy one.
Chelsea’s donated hair and money will be used to produce a wig for a teenage or child patient.
Last year, her older sister had the chop and donated her hair.
Wanting to go one better, Chelsea decided to raise the required $1,000 to create the wig.
She began an online fundraiser and collected $500.
She sold baked goods at her school at lunchtime to raise the remainder.
“Originally I asked my friends if they wanted to do it with me because they all have quite long hair as well,” Chelsea said.
“They were really excited at first but kind of backed out towards the end.
“But now they have seen me with my short hair, a couple of them have got theirs cut as well.”
And Chelsea said she was already eyeing off her next goal.
“Next time I might shave my head,” she said with a laugh.
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