Geraldton’s Di Thompson and Kyra Robson get 1.2m of hair chopped off for Variety’s Hair with Heart

Rather than hang onto their Rapunzel-like tresses for the sake of vanity, a Geraldton woman and schoolgirl were more than happy to part with their hair and donate them to an important cause.

Di Thompson had 70cm chopped off and 14-year-old Kyra Robson’s long mane became 52cm shorter last week. They donated 1.2m of hair between them to Variety’s Hair with Heart campaign, which makes wigs for sick children who have lost their hair or can’t grow any.

Wigs can cost up to $6000 to make.

Ms Thompson said she decided to get the chop in honour of her late friend and former colleague at Iluka Resources Jill Buist, who lost her brave battle with cancer.

“Losing her hair was quite upsetting for her, rightfully so, but it got me thinking as it’s (having no hair) accepted for men, but for a woman it’s different ... then I thought of all the children going through their cancers or other diseases in which they can’t grow hair ... they just need to focus on getting better, not about how they look,” she said. “I just thought by doing this I could make a positive difference in someone’s life and make them happy.”

Ms Thompson has raised more than $3700 in the process.

“I’ve had long hair my whole life. As a child I had to stand on a chair for my trims,” she said.

“I feel it was an honour to do this.

“I feel so empowered.”

Kyra, a Year 9 student at Champion Bay Senior High School, had wanted to donate her hair for a while, but had never found the right cause.

Then Ms Thompson talked about her plans with Kyra’s mum Lilly. “I mentioned it to Kyra and her eyes lit up. She said ‘Mum, can I please do this too?’,” Mrs Robson said.

Kyra set herself a fundraising target of $2000 and exceeded that, raising more than $2700 so far.

To donate, visit hairwith heart.variety.org.au/fund raisers/kyrarobson or dianethompson.