‘I met a woman growing her hair for a wig for her little girl and I was so touched’

For more than three decades Wexford hairdresser Anna Furlong has been cutting hair.

Five years ago, touched by the story of a six-year-old girl with alopecia, the salon owner from New Ross pledged to start collecting hair.

Inspired by the mother of this little girl who was growing her own hair to get a wig made for her daughter in New Zealand, Anna Furlong set about trying to help alopecia suffers for whom she says there is "little support here".

She established the Rapunzel Foundation, a voluntary organisation that helps source and sponsor "Freedom" wigs for alopecia sufferers.

Made in New Zealand using uncoloured human hair, these vacuum wigs are attached to the head by a silicone cap which is tinted to match the wearer’s skin colour.

The hairdresser, who also runs a wig-fitting service for chemotherapy patients, believes alopecia is a huge mental health issue.

“There is no support for people with alopecia male or female. It’s a huge mental health issue and can have a major effect on a person’s life style.

“For years I wasn’t aware of alopecia because people suffering with hair loss were not coming into hair salons. Then one day, through my wig fitting service for chemotherapy patients, I met a woman who was growing her hair for a wig for her little girl and I was so touched by their story.

“Having discussed the idea with my team, who supported me 100 per cent, we made a decision that if someone gave us their 14 inches of non-coloured hair we would cut their hair free of charge.”

Since its establishment the Rapunzel Foundation has sent 2,000 ponytails to New Zealand and sponsored 15 Irish people to get wigs, including four children and two teenagers.

More than 140 salons are registered with the organisation and anyone willing to donate 14 inches can have their hair cut for free at these salons.

“Having researched Freedom Wigs I realised they gave the wearer confidence as these wigs are suctioned on to the head and therefore the wearer can live life uninhibited, without the fear of their wig falling off, like dancing, swimming, and sports.

“It is like a prosthetic piece and has to be removed by the wearer.”

It can take up to 25 ponytails to make one Freedom wig which cost up to €3,000.

An adult’s wig can last for up to five years but a child may need two a year.

“The cost in monetary terms is quite high but in terms of life style confidence and self-esteem it is priceless,” she added.

Freedom wigs are only suitable for alopecia sufferers as there must be no hair growth on the head. Only untreated/uncoloured hair can be donated and a minimum of 14 inches is required per ponytail.

Earlier this week Limerick girl Amy Kerr donated 15 inches of her hair to the foundation.

The 12-year-old admits that a lot of her friends – most of whom also have very long hair – were curious as to why she was willingly parting with her beautiful brown mane.

“They were all wondering why I would cut my hair. My grandfather died from cancer so I wanted to raise money for cancer.

“I decided to donate my hair to the Rapunzel Foundation after I had read about them on the internet. They make wigs for children so I hope someone can use my hair,” she said.

Amy also raised €600 for Today's FM's Shave or Dye campaign for the Irish Cancer Society.

Children from as young as five have donated hair to the Rapunzel Foundation and every day Anna Furlong's Salon in New Ross, Co Wexford, receives pony tails in the post.

“People are so quick to give out about young people but the very first girl who donated her hair was a little girl who had just made her First Communion,” explained Anna. I’m really delighted for Amy [Kerr] and she has made a great sacrifice.

“She has chosen to give her hair and she could inspire others to do the same. It’s wonderful for people to be aware from such a young age of how they can help others.”

At present the foundation is appealing for natural red hair for a little girl who is making her First Communion next year.

“All she wants is to have hair for her special day in 2015 but we are making the appeal now so that it will be ready in time,” said Anna.

For more information about the Rapunzel Foundation see ww.rapunzelfoundation.com