Who is the Little Princess Trust?

The Little Princess Trust was founded by Wendy and Simon Tarplee following the death of their five-year-old daughter Hannah. Diagnosed with a Wilms tumour, her treatments led to her hair falling out, and so Wendy and Simon were desperate to give their daughter that piece of her identity back. They found a wig suitable for Hannah, and it had a hugely positive impact throughout her many treatments.

Hannah lost her battle one year later, but Wendy and Simon found a way to pay tribute to their daughter: The Little Princess Trust. Since its launch, it has grown to become the world’s largest wig provision charity for thousands of children and young people up to the age of 24 experiencing hair loss across the UK and Ireland, but it relies on fundraising and hair donations. Funding research for innovative and kinder treatments in childhood cancer, their ultimate goal is to be there for every child and young person going through illness, striving for outcomes that are more positive.

Every pound raised or strand of hair donated to the Little Princess Trust makes a big difference, and this is why we’re sharing Sian’s story with you.

For more information on the Little Princess Trust, and how your salon or freelance business can fundraise and make hair donations, read our blog post here

What inspired Sian to donate her hair?

Sian has now donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust three times since joining Sally Europe, but what makes each time unique is the story behind it. Like many others who have been inspired to take the leap and donate their hair (including pop royalty Harry Styles and actual royalty Kate Middleton!), the first time came from a deeply personal experience. This happened back in 2014, not long after the Little Princess Trust first partnered with Sally Europe.

“My cousin suffered from hair loss as a teenager when going through treatment, and I had seen first-hand how much losing her hair had affected her confidence.”

While jumping from having long hair to a short style made Sian feel anxious, remembering why she was doing it in the first place made the experience worthwhile for her. “The thought that I could donate my hair (as I have so much of it) to lift another little girl or boy’s spirits, when they are already going through so much, was the least I could do.

The first time was the most nerve-wracking for me as I hadn’t had short hair since my childhood. After I got it cut, I didn’t feel like myself and felt I had lost a bit of my identity, but the fact that I had helped just a little, made it all worth it.”

The second time came a couple of years later when her cousin fell ill again, but this third time was different for Sian. Having cut her hair shortly after her daughter’s birth in 2019, she decided to once again take the plunge and grow it out to donate it. This time, her reasons were more self-empowering.

“After giving birth to my gorgeous daughter (now two), I lost a lot of my hair post-partum. As someone who has always had luscious locks and always had enough to go around, seeing my hair falling out in clumps daily really hit home.”

Now a mother, it made Sian think about how difficult this sort of loss would be for a child to go through, and how something as big as donating her hair to create a wig would bring such a positive impact. “My mind was made up. I would be growing my hair back specifically to donate.”

What was Sian’s experience like this time?

Like many others who have donated their hair, what made Sian’s experience an uplifting one this time were the people supporting her, including her hairdresser. “I wouldn’t trust anyone except Zara Lynch from Z&Co Hair and Beauty else with my hair. Zara has been looking after my hair for more than five years now and I know she gets it. My hair is deceivingly thick and unruly at times, and I trust she would make sure the cut and style after the donation would work for me. She is amazing!

Compared to the previous times, what made the experience easier for Sian was the cutting method that they used. “This time was slightly different, as they went for a razor cut rather than traditional scissors, so I had the hum of the blade as it sliced through the first section of hair. As it was at the back of my head, I instantly felt a lot lighter, and also knew that someone would be getting a lot of hair!”

With this in mind, Sian decided to take her commitments for the Little Princess Trust a step further. “Alongside cutting my hair to donate, I also set up a page on JustGiving and raised £400 to go alongside the hair donation; it really helps ease the nerves when you know others are supporting you along the way.”

“I have had so many compliments this time around. While it’s strange having short hair again, the fact that everyone is giving you all these great compliments is really uplifting.”

As for the one thing she doesn’t miss about having long hair? “I don’t miss how my hair used to get caught in everything, and I mean from zipping my hair in my coat to catching it on cupboard doors. I was ready for a shorter style to make life less risky! I mean what was I going to get tangled up in next?”