Lexie Warwick-Oliver, a 10-year-old from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, has made a significant donation for a second time. Despite her autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which make haircuts challenging, she cut off 13 inches of her hair to help young cancer patients.
“I’m feeling really proud of myself,” Lexie said. “I felt a bit nervous at first, but I really like my hair now and I’m really relieved it is over and done with.”
Her mother, Jess Warwick-Oliver, acknowledged the difficulty due to Lexie’s sensitivity to touch. “It’s very difficult for Lexie to let anybody touch her because of her autism, so we did struggle a bit today, but we got through it.”
A hair salon in Horsforth supported Lexie’s effort by offering a discount and giving her curly hair products when they learned about her charitable cause.
Lexie’s hair will be sent to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides free wigs to young people who have lost their hair due to cancer or other conditions. She will receive a certificate from the charity to recognize her contribution.
In 2021, Lexie previously donated 16 inches of hair and raised £500 for a family friend’s daughter who had leukaemia. It took her three years to grow her hair back to a suitable length for donation again.
Lexie is also fundraising for sensory items at Howard Park Community School, her primary school. She aims to provide bubble lights, fidget spinners, and space blankets for pupils with additional needs, recognizing their calming benefits.
“They make me feel better, more regulated, and calmer,” she said.
Lexie encourages others with autism or ADHD to pursue their goals. “Don’t let anyone try to stop you from achieving your goals. Ignore them and keep going.” She hopes her actions will inspire others to donate their hair as well.
“Hopefully they’ll see what I did and feel comfortable enough to cut their hair and donate to people with cancer, so it’ll make them feel better,” she said. “Don’t be nervous about cutting off hair – be brave, it’ll grow back.”
Ms. Warwick-Oliver expressed immense pride in her daughter. “She’s done this and it has been so selfless – she’s not done it for herself, it’s for two causes and I’m really proud of her.”
