Max chops his long locks to raise vital funds for Pilgrims
Max Smith, also known as Princess, reached the age of 10 without ever having a haircut; now, he’s had it all chopped off and gone to a Grade 1 cut. Max braved his shave to raise vital funds for the Little Princess Trust, which provides real hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their own hair due to illness, and for Pilgrims Hospices, after his grandad, Allan Trewinnard, was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury.
Not one to do things by halves, after bravely committing to have the full length cut off Max decided that the big chop would take place at his school. On 23 April, friends and classmates at Hampton Primary School in Herne Bay gathered to watch, chanting as Max’s hair dropped to the floor.
Leila Ilkhan, Community Fundraising Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, went along to watch the action and to say a big thank you to Max for taking on such a personal challenge. Leila also helped the hairdresser from local salon Matt’s Cutting Room by cutting a section of Max’s hair herself.
When Allan was accessing Pilgrims services, Max saw first-hand how committed the nurses were to ensuring that his grandad was cared for in the best way possible. Fundraising for the charity is Max’s way of saying thank you to all the nurses and staff for supporting their family throughout Allan’s illness and afterwards.
Max raised an incredible £1,512 in total for both charities, enabling him to donate an amazing £800 to Pilgrims.
Lydia Todd, Community Fundraising Officer at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, welcomed the family to the Canterbury hospice to congratulate Max on his fantastic fundraising. They were all so proud, though Max still couldn’t believe all his hair had gone and wasn’t quite used to it. His mum, Frances, also said how strange it is to see Max with short hair, but everyone agreed that it had all been for a very worthy cause.
Watch Max’s haircut in action
Inspired to plan your own fundraising event or challenge for Pilgrims?
Contact your local fundraising team to let us know all about it so that we can support you.
