Ipswich man to shave 20 years of hair for cousin's cancer fight
Aston French will cut off hair he has grown since school and shave his head at John Olivers on Great Colman Street, in solidarity with his cousin Claire, who is being treated for leukaemia.
Why it matters: Claire, 21, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia just three months after her father, Richie, received a terminal cancer diagnosis. Aston French is raising money for three youth cancer charities that have supported the family through their treatment.
The details: French began growing his hair during a summer, and has kept it long for 20 years. He will donate around 15 inches to the Little Princess Trust, which uses donated hair to make real-hair wigs for young people who have lost their own through cancer treatment or another medical condition. He will then shave off what remains.
The head shave will take place at John Olivers on Great Colman Street on the 11th of September, 2026.
What they're saying: "Ever since I first decided to grow out my hair in the summer between school and sixth form, it's been a really key part of my self-image and strangely comforting," French said. "It's obviously been one of my most defining external features, and the thought of suddenly losing that is honestly really rather unsettling."
"But I just remind myself that the people I'm doing this in-aid of don't get the choice or ability to timetable it like I do, and I look at the total raised and messages I can share on to my cousin and it makes it all feel worthwhile. I'll definitely be looking forward to having it grown out again, though!"
The bigger picture: French is raising money for Little Princess Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Young Lives vs Cancer, all of which have supported Claire and her family, including providing her with a free real-hair wig and helping fund the hospital wards where she has been treated.
"I'm sure everyone will have had some experience of the impacts of cancer either on themselves, their family, or friends and loved ones," French said. "I've personally seen a number of diagnoses in my family, and knew people in school who were diagnosed at a young age too.
"The sentiment that I keep coming back to, and the sentiment I hope others will share, is that humanity is at its best when it helps those in need. I think it's fantastically exemplified in offering support to the young people and their families battling this awful disease – be it monetary donations, emotional support, or just in terms of assistance with day-to-day tasks."
By the numbers: French has set a target of £10,000, putting in £1,500 of his own money to start the campaign. More than £8,140 has been raised so far, with an additional £1,892.50 in Gift Aid.
The money will be split between the three charities: 40% to Teenage Cancer Trust, 40% to Young Lives vs Cancer and 20% to Little Princess Trust.
The bottom line: Two decades of hair, one head shave, and a family's experience of cancer have combined to raise thousands for charities supporting young people like Claire, with French's head shave now just a few weeks away.
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