15 Sep 2026 Community

River’s hair donation raises over £1,100 in memory of his great grandma

A young fundraiser has raised more than £1,100 for The Kirkwood after deciding to have his hair cut in memory of his much loved great grandma, who was cared for by The Kirkwood.

River came up with the idea during the summer when he decided the time had come to cut his hair. However rather than simply heading to the hairdressers, River wanted his hair to make a difference to someone else. Together with his mum and dad, John. River began researching organisations which accept hair donations, eventually deciding to donate his hair to Little Lady Locks, a charity which provides hair systems to children and young people experiencing hair loss.

After talking as a family about what a fantastic cause it was, River’s parents suggested he could make his hair shave go even further by raising money for a charity close to the family’s heart at the same time.

When they began discussing which charity River would like to support, there was one organisation that immediately meant something special to him – The Kirkwood.

River’s great grandma, Mrs Green, who River affectionately called his ‘GG’, was cared for by The Kirkwood in late 2024 at the age of 91. River shared a special relationship with his GG, and raising money in her memory gave his haircut an even greater meaning.

His mum said: “River loved his GG and it was important to him that he could raise money for a charity which would help support other people and their families who come to The Kirkwood. I visited The Kirkwood myself and was blown away by the facilities, the home like setting and the gorgeous rooms looking out onto the garden. Everything about it is so welcoming and lovely. Having somewhere like The Kirkwood for local people to come, and somewhere their families can be with them too, is so important.”

With River keen to have his haircut before returning to school, the family only had a few weeks to put their fundraising plans into action. They launched River’s fundraiser on 15th August and began sharing it with family and friends the following day, setting an initial target of £200.

They hoped River would be able to reach his goal,  but they could never have predicted just how quickly people would get behind him.

Within the very first day, River had already reached his £200 target. His mum added: “We thought £200 was a good target and that he could achieve it, but we didn't expect him to do it as easily as he did He absolutely loved watching the donations coming in, seeing who they were from and how much people had sponsored him. He couldn't believe it.”

The big day finally arrived on 29th August when River underwent his eagerly anticipated event, donating his hair to Little Lady Locks while raising an incredible amount for The Kirkwood.

With donations continuing to arrive following the haircut, River’s fundraising total has now passed £1,100, more than five times his original £200 target. The funds River has raised will help The Kirkwood continue to provide vital care and support for local people affected by life limiting illnesses, as well as the families and those closest to them. For River, however, the achievement is particularly special because he knows he has done something positive in memory of his GG.

River said: “I'm really proud of myself because it's such a big achievement. Thank you for helping my GG, The Kirkwood!”

River’s incredible efforts show that fundraising can begin with the simplest of ideas. By choosing to make his haircut mean something more, he has not only donated his hair to help another young person, but raised an amazing amount to help The Kirkwood be there for local people and families when they need us most.

A huge thank you to River, his family and everyone who has supported and sponsored his fundraiser. What started with a £200 target has turned into an incredible tribute to a very special GG and an achievement River and his family can be immensely proud of.