Sunderland girl, 5, has more than a foot cut off her hair 'to do something nice' to help sick children

A big-hearted Sunderland youngster said goodbye to her long locks to help sick children.
Mia Coundon, 5, having her hair cut in aid of the Little Princess Trust charity at Sunderland Hair & Beauty Salon, Windsor Terrace, Grangetown, Sunderland. Mia is pictured with mum Melissa James.Mia Coundon, 5, having her hair cut in aid of the Little Princess Trust charity at Sunderland Hair & Beauty Salon, Windsor Terrace, Grangetown, Sunderland. Mia is pictured with mum Melissa James.
Mia Coundon, 5, having her hair cut in aid of the Little Princess Trust charity at Sunderland Hair & Beauty Salon, Windsor Terrace, Grangetown, Sunderland. Mia is pictured with mum Melissa James.

Mia Poppy Coundon, five, decided she wanted to chop her flowing hair to raise money for the Little Princess Trust and donate the hair to making wigs for children and young adults.

The schoolgirl had only ever had her hair trimmed, so when it came to cutting the tresses, 35cms was removed.

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Proud mum, Melissa James, said it was all Mia’s idea to have her hair cut off after she watched a video about the trust and the work it does.

Mia Coundon, 5, having her hair cut in aid of the Little Princess Trust charity at Sunderland Hair & Beauty Salon, Windsor Terrace, Grangetown, Sunderland. Mia is pictured with mum Melissa James.Mia Coundon, 5, having her hair cut in aid of the Little Princess Trust charity at Sunderland Hair & Beauty Salon, Windsor Terrace, Grangetown, Sunderland. Mia is pictured with mum Melissa James.
Mia Coundon, 5, having her hair cut in aid of the Little Princess Trust charity at Sunderland Hair & Beauty Salon, Windsor Terrace, Grangetown, Sunderland. Mia is pictured with mum Melissa James.

The 29-year-old, of Arnold Road, Farringdon, said: “We talked about what the charity was for and she said she wanted to do something nice for the others who haven’t got their hair.

“She was really brave about having it cut off, because hair is very important to little girls. I am over the moon for her, for what she has done.

“I used to be a hairdresser, so I always used to just trim the ends to keep it tidy, so she had never had a full haircut before.”

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Melissa, who works as a beautician at Sunderland Hair and Beauty Salon in Grangetown’s Windsor Terrace, arranged for Mia to go along to the salon where one of the stylists carried out the haircut for the youngster.

Now, Mia, is proudly showing off her new bobbed hair do and telling everyone why she got it cut.

Melissa said: “When we were taking about it, I was all for it because I knew it was great for her that she wanted to do it, but I did cry when the hair came off.

“But Mia was all smiles. She says she loves her new haircut, but she said she likes it better long, so it looks like she is going to grow it again.”

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However, the East Herrington Primary Academy pupil has no regrets and is also thrilled that as well as donating her hair, she managed to raise almost £700 for the charity, through donations and a raffle.

Melissa said: “Everyone was really supportive and generous.”