You’re standing in front of the mirror, holding a ponytail that’s taken years to grow. It’s a big deal. Deciding to Little Princess Trust hair donation isn't just a haircut; it’s a massive emotional exchange. You’re giving away a piece of your identity so a child who has lost theirs—to cancer treatment or alopecia—can feel like themselves again. But honestly, most people get the logistics wrong. They think any hair will do. They think the charity sells the hair to make money.
It’s more complicated than that. Much more.
The Little Princess Trust was born out of a very real, very raw tragedy. In 2005, Hannah Tarplee, a young girl from Hereford, was diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumour. She lost her hair. Her parents, Wendy and Simon, found it incredibly difficult to find a high-quality wig that actually fit a child’s head. After Hannah passed away in 2006, they launched the trust to bridge that gap. Since then, they've provided thousands of real-hair wigs to children and young people across the UK and Ireland.
The 12-inch rule and why length is everything
Length matters. If you’re planning a Little Princess Trust hair donation, you need to know that while they can accept hair as short as 7 inches (about 17cm), they are desperate for longer lengths. Why? Because when a wig is made, several inches are lost during the "knotting" process. A 12-inch donation doesn't result in a 12-inch wig. It ends up being a bob.
If you want a child to have long, flowing hair, you’re looking at donating 16 inches or more.
Actually, the charity's biggest challenge isn't getting hair—it's getting long hair. They have a massive surplus of shorter donations. If your hair is on the shorter side, you might actually be more helpful by keeping your hair and donating the £550 it costs to manufacture a single wig instead. It sounds harsh, but it’s the reality of wig-making.
The process of creating these pieces is incredibly labor-intensive. We aren't talking about a machine-made cap you buy at a costume shop. These are hand-tied. Each strand is knotted into a fine mesh base to mimic natural hair growth. It takes about 60 hours of work by a specialist wig maker.
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What they won't tell you about hair quality
Your hair needs to be in good nick. If it’s damaged, it’s useless.
- Bleach is a dealbreaker. If you've got a full head of bleached hair, the charity generally cannot use it. Bleaching weakens the hair cuticle. When that hair goes through the intense cleaning and sorting process at the factory in China (where the wigs are made), it often snaps.
- Grey hair is fine. Surprisingly, the trust accepts grey hair! They use it for wigs for older children or mix it to create realistic tones.
- Dyed hair? Maybe. As long as it's a natural-looking color and the hair is healthy, they'll take it. But neon pink or blue is usually a no-go because it can't be blended easily with other donations.
- Layered hair is tricky. If your hair is heavily layered, the shortest layers must still meet the minimum length requirement. Otherwise, they just fall out during the manufacturing process and end up on the floor.
How to actually cut it without ruining the donation
Don’t just go to the salon and let them hack it off. There is a protocol.
First, wash and dry your hair. It must be clean. It must be bone dry. If you send wet or even slightly damp hair in a plastic bag, it will mold. If it molds, it’s biohazardous waste and goes straight into the bin. It's a waste of years of growth. Use plain shampoo; skip the heavy conditioners or styling products that leave a waxy buildup.
You need to put your hair into ponytails. Plural.
If you put your hair in one big ponytail at the nape of your neck, you lose a lot of length from the sides. Most experienced stylists will section the hair into four or six smaller ponytails around the head. This maximizes the amount of hair you can actually give. Secure them with several hair ties—one at the top, one in the middle, and one at the bottom—to keep the strands aligned.
The "root-to-tip" direction is vital. Hair has scales (the cuticle) that all point one way. If the hairs get flipped upside down and mixed up, the wig will become a matted, tangled mess that can never be brushed. Keeping those ponytails tight and organized is the difference between a beautiful wig and a pile of trash.
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The financial reality of "free" wigs
Here is a bit of nuance most people miss: the hair is free, but the wig isn't.
The Little Princess Trust gives the wigs to the children for free. Always. But it costs the charity hundreds of pounds to get that hair processed, woven, and fitted. They don't have their own factory. They work with specialists. This is why when you do a Little Princess Trust hair donation, it’s incredibly helpful to fundraise alongside it.
The charity spends a significant portion of its budget on childhood cancer research too. They aren't just putting a "band-aid" on the problem with a wig; they’re trying to find ways to make sure the kids don't need the wigs in the first place. Since 2016, they have funneled millions into research projects focused on less toxic treatments for pediatric cancers.
What happens after you post the envelope?
You drop it in the mail. You feel great. Then what?
The hair travels to the charity's headquarters in Hereford. There, volunteers open every single package. They check for dampness, smell, and length. Then, the hair is bundled and shipped to a specialist manufacturer. Because one person's hair isn't enough to make a full wig—it usually takes between 7 and 10 individual donations to make just one piece—the hair has to be sorted by color and texture.
Your blonde hair might be blended with hair from someone in Scotland and someone in Cornwall to create a perfect, multi-tonal "natural" blonde wig.
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It’s a global operation. While the charity is UK-based, they receive donations from all over the world and provide wigs to children globally. The scale is impressive. But it relies entirely on the quality of what you put in that envelope.
Common myths that need to die
People think they can't donate if they have curly hair. Wrong. Curly hair is great! They just need you to pull it straight to measure the length.
Others think "virgin" hair (hair that has never been dyed) is the only type accepted. While virgin hair is the gold standard because it's the strongest, it’s not the only option. As long as your hair is healthy and the color is "natural-ish," it's likely okay.
Then there’s the "old hair" myth. If you cut your hair years ago and kept it in a drawer, can you still donate it? Surprisingly, yes—provided it’s been kept clean, dry, and tied in a ponytail. Hair is remarkably resilient if it's stored correctly.
Practical steps for your donation day
If you're ready to do this, don't just wing it.
- Check the current length requirements. The Little Princess Trust updates their needs based on their current stock. If they have too much 7-inch hair, they might pause those donations. Check their official site the morning of your cut.
- Find a salon that knows the drill. Many UK salons are "Little Princess Trust" partners. They know how to section the hair to get the most length. If yours doesn't, bring the printed instructions from the charity's website.
- The "Dry" Test. After the cut, feel the center of the ponytail. If it feels even slightly cool to the touch, it might be damp. Let it air dry on a clean towel for 24 hours before bagging it.
- Use a sturdy envelope. Don't use a paper one that can rip. Use a padded envelope or a heavy-duty plastic mailer.
- Include the donation form. If you want a certificate (and why wouldn't you? You earned it), you must include the form.
When you finally see your hair fall to the floor, it feels strange. It’s light. Your head feels cold. But somewhere, a few months from now, a kid is going to look in the mirror and see a version of themselves they thought they’d lost. That’s the point. That’s why the Little Princess Trust hair donation matters.
Before you head to the salon, grab a ruler. Measure from where you want the cut to start to the very ends. If you're at 11 inches, maybe wait another two months. Those extra two inches could be the difference between a wig that sits at the chin and one that reaches the shoulders, which is what the charity needs most right now. Log your donation online immediately after posting so you can track the impact and receive your recognition. If you can, set up a JustGiving page for the manufacturing costs—it's the most effective way to ensure your hair actually makes it onto a child's head.