Scone Grammar School student gets epic snip for kids with cancer
After spending the first 14 years of her life growing flowing hair worthy of a famous fairytale princess, one student donated her knee-length pigtails to help create wigs for seriously ill children
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Scone Grammar School’s Elsie Kennedy has grown her hair throughout her childhood. Initially inspired by her love of the fairytale Rapunzel, over time the NSW student’s vision changed to wanting to donate her hair to provide a wig for a child with cancer.
Aiming to raise $14,000 for the charity, Elsie had reached just over $11,000 by January 2025. At the time of writing, her fundraising page remained open.
The Scone Grammar School community got behind Elsie in her quest to raise funds and awareness for Kids with Cancer. Elsie’s first ever hair cut took place at school on 20 November. Students were encouraged to wear purple and donate a purple note ($5) or make a gold coin donation.
“I chose a Purple Rapunzel theme as when I was little, I always (dreamt) of having hair like Rapunzel,” Elsie said. “I’ve never had a real haircut – my first trim was at seven, and since then, just a small trim.
“Now I’m 14, I’m excited to get a new look but I’m also very happy that my hair will go to a good cause. And to know that my fundraising will help kids and families going through a really tough time is amazing.”
Elsie’s mum Mandy said that Elsie donated her hair after discussing it as a family for a couple years.
“If she ever decided to cut it, we agreed it shouldn’t go to waste,” Ms Kennedy said. “Donating it to create wigs for children seemed like the perfect choice — especially since, as a child herself, Elsie understands how important it is for kids to feel confident.
“There hasn’t been one single person or moment that inspired this act, so to speak, but rather a general desire to help.
“As we all know, cancer touches so many lives, and everyone knows someone who is or has suffered, and we’re no exception.
“Elsie wanted to make a real difference, so she’s raising as much as possible for this wonderful cause and donating a long length of hair to help create wigs that will allow a child to feel more confident again.”
Near 1000 children aged 0 to 18 are diagnosed with cancer each year. The Kids with Cancer Foundation makes today easier for kids with cancer and their families through providing direct family financial support – paying household bills, medical expenses, grocery and fuel/transport costs – as well as providing Care Packs, Wigs 4 Kids, funding pediatric clinician positions in children’s hospitals around Australia, funding children’s hospital infrastructure and capital works, and funding research into childhood cancers.
Kids with Cancer Foundation has been a partner of John Hunter Children’s Hospital since 2000 and has provided around $1.5 million in funding to the hospital to help fund oncology staff, equipment, ward refurbishments, and a unique cooking program to help inject fun, learning and skills building.
Elsie’s fundraising page remains open at fundraise.kidswithcancer.org.au/fundraisers/elsiekennedy/wigs-4-kids
For more information about the Kids with Cancer Foundation, visit kidswithcancer.org.au/
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