Pearl Jenkins’ long hair will soon become a wig for a child in need as she prepares to celebrate a birthday to remember. Photo: Supplied.
While most children are focusing on what presents they will receive for their birthday each year, one Weipa girl is preparing to celebrate her special day with the gift of giving.
After growing her hair for more than two years, 10-year-old Pearl Jenkins is ready to donate her luscious locks for children in need.
Fuelled by losing a close family friend to cancer, and inspired by her brother Logan, who shaved his head in 2019 for the World’s Greatest Shave, Pearl said she would cut 35cm of her long hair off on her 11th birthday next month.
The Weipa girl said she was not afraid to cut her hair at all, adding she would like to help someone gain the experience of having hair.
“I think someone else having hair that has never really gotten the chance to feel how it feels is more important,” she said.
“I’ve had hair and I can grow it back, so it doesn’t really matter to me, but what matters most to me is that somebody else is getting what they wished for.”
Pearl will be supported by family and two close friends who will watch the cut take place on 25 October.
She will donate her locks to Variety’s Hair with Heart, where she has also set up a fundraiser to help sick children in need of support.
“Originally, I had a goal of only $250 that I would like to raise, but in the past couple of months and days, I’ve raised $581,” she said.
“I’m a little surprised, but also not really, because it’s doing something for other people, and I think a lot of people would support that.”
You can help Pearl go well and truly beyond her original fundraising goal by donating to her campaign by visiting the Hair with Heart page.
