A hair-raising tale of kindness2 min read

Reading Time: 2 minutes

In a heartwarming display of kindness, an Oranga girl, Freya Tohill, has turned a simple haircut into a powerful act of support  for the Cancer Society.

The 9-year-old recently donated a remarkable 48cm of her hair, which will be used to create wigs for those undergoing cancer treatment.

For Freya, the decision to donate her hair was deeply personal. When she was six, a close friend’s mother, Cat Thorburn, passed away from cancer, an experience that stayed with her. This loss fueled her desire to help people suffering from the disease, leading her to embark on a three-year journey to grow her hair to the necessary length.

While having such long hair could be “very annoying,” Freya found ways to enjoy it, particularly with a favourite French plait hairstyle. When the day came to cut it all off, she felt a mix of nerves and excitement. The mission she had been working on for years was finally coming to a close.

Her new, shorter haircut is now much easier to wash and dry. When asked about her amazing act of generosity, Freya feels “glad” that she could do something to help others. She encourages other children to “definitely, definitely do it,” describing it as a simple way to make a big difference. Her family, friends, and even her teachers are incredibly proud of her commitment and compassion.

Freya and her parents want to send a big shout-out to Metamorphose Hair Design in One Tree Hill for their support in  cutting Freya’s hair at a discounted rate.