Teenager has locks shaved off in aid of Cancer Research

Most teenage girls would find the idea of having their head shaved pretty hair-raising to say the least.

But it was a case of hair today, gone tomorrow for 13-year-old Florence Clark, who sacrificed her blonde locks to raise money for a cancer charity.

Florence said the decision to go ahead with the extreme makeover was cut and dried.

“My friend at school, her cousin has just been diagnosed with skin cancer and we decided we would both get our heads shaved to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Even when her friend had to back out, she still carried out her promise and hopes to raise hundreds for charity.

“In the end, my friend couldn’t do it, but I decided to go ahead.

“I really, really loved my hair, but I wanted to raise money for charity more than anything.”

The teenager, who attends St Thomas of Aquins High School, was shorn of her locks at the International Barbers in Dalry, where her dad, Graham, is a regular.

Graham, 51, a photographer, uploaded a video of the event to YouTube.

In the 12-minute clip, Florence can be seen nervously glancing at the camera before the clippers are taken to her tresses, with several of her friends on hand to offer support.

“Everyone at school has been really supportive and have said I’ve been really brave. I’m glad that I did it.”

Florence, who lives in Joppa with her dad, 18-year-old sister Celeste and mum Annette, 52, has raised almost £120 so far.

“It was quite weird being in the barbers’ shop, but I had all my friends there.

“I think I would do it again, it was fun and I hope the money will make a difference.”

Graham admitted he was nervous at the prospect of his daughter having her hair shaved, but said: “I’m really proud of her.

“The barbers’ shop is a really male environment. I did wonder if it would be suitable and if the barber would be annoyed at having six kids there taking photos of Florence.

“But he was really good and he cut her hair free of charge.

“I decided to film it and put it up on YouTube because I thought it would make a nice memento for Florence, and also all the people that had sponsored her could watch it.”

Martin McGlown, Cancer Research UK’s head of patient liaison, said: “We’re very impressed that Florence has raised more than £100 following her sponsored head-shave.

“It’s not often we hear about girls of this age shaving their hair off for charity, so Florence must have been really determined to do something meaningful to support her friend’s cousin. We are very grateful for the support.”

To help Florence reach her £200 target, visit www.justgiving.com/Florence-Clark.