Stourbridge schoolboy has long hair chopped for charity

Jacob Edwards, from Oldswinford, had been growing his hair since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jacob Edwards with his long flowing locks

But set to start secondary school in September, he decided it was time for a new look and had his flowing mane cut and restyled at Chapter One Barbers, Pedmore, on Saturday August 6.

The 11-year-old, who left Oldswinford Primary School in July, has donated around 14 inches of his thick blond hair to the Little Princess Trust which provides real hair wigs to children and young people undergoing cancer treatment.

Jacob also set up an online donation page and asked friends and family to sponsor him to raise money for Leukaemia Care which is close to his heart as his dad Dalwyn Edwards was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2015.

His uncle also had Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2007 but both men are doing well thanks to medical treatment.

Jake, as he’s known, has raised £1,353 for the Worcester-based charity to date from losing his long locks.

Anyone wishing to give his fundraising a boost can make a donation online at https://givepenny.com/libbyedwards_jakes_locks_for_the_chop_

Proud mum Libby Edwards said the hair salon kindly donated the haircut fee to the fundraiser and she added that Jake’s new look has “instantly made him look older and taller”.

Jacob Edwards at the hair salon

She said: “Over the last few months Jake has enjoyed wearing his long hair in a variety of styles including plaits, ponytails and buns. He's even taken requests from school friends for hair styles.

Jacob Edwards tried out various styles with his long hair before having his locks chopped off for charity

“We'll miss his long hair, but Jake won't miss the time it took to wash and dry it. We're very proud of Jacob and absolutely amazed at how much he's raised. We are so thankful to everyone who has sponsored him.”