Harley, the 12-year-old boy from Cardiff, has set an incredible example of generosity by cutting off his long mane of hair for charity.
He had been growing his hair since lockdown, reaching an impressive length of 21 inches.
The decision to donate his hair to the Little Princess Trust, an organization providing wigs to children with medical hair loss, was an instant one for Harley and his mother Carla.
Hairdresser Kelly Theaker, who runs Hair By Kelly in Cowbridge Road Ely, played a vital role in Harley’s hair transformation.
The process was emotional for Carla, who cherished her son’s long hair, but she couldn’t be prouder of his selfless act.
Harley, on the other hand, couldn’t wait to get rid of the weight and heat that came with his long hair, jokingly comparing the feeling of touching his freshly cut hair to running his hands through sand.
As a footballer in Pontypridd United A.F.C’s academy, Harley’s teammates have fondly nicknamed him “the Viking.”
His fundraising efforts extended beyond his hair donation, as he raised an additional £143 during a friendly match and received generous donations from club staff, surpassing his original target of £550.
Harley and his mother have now decided to double their target, raising an impressive total of £1,380.
Harley’s act of donating his hair is particularly significant as only 10% of donations to the Little Princess Trust come from male donors.
He has been invited to visit the trust’s headquarters in Herefordshire to hand over his hair and witness how the wigs are made.
His initial desire to resemble Gareth Bale with his long hair has transformed into something far greater – a compassionate gesture that will bring smiles to the faces of children facing challenging health conditions.