Maigan’s hair-raiser of a day for charity
Mexborough School pupil Maigan Briggs before she had her head shaved and below after the charity event.
AN inspirational schoolgirl has had her head shaved to raise awareness of a stress-related condition she suffers from.
Maigan Briggs has received now 9,000 messages of support following her charity drive, including from those who also suffer from the same condition, saying how the 14-year-old’s actions have helped them come to terms with disorder.
Maigan of Wath Road, Bolton-on-Dearne, suffers from trichotillomania, a compulsive disorder which causes hair loss from repeated urges to pull hair until it breaks off. Those with the condition, which affects as much as four per cent of people in the UK, are unable to stop even when bald patches appear.
Speaking about deciding to lop off her long locks, the Mexborough School pupil said: “I was a little nervous about doing it but I’m just glad I did.
“The response has been incredible. I never expected so many people to give me so much support.
“Hopefully it will help other people.”
Maigan underwent the close cut at Envy in Bolton-on-Dearne and also managed to raise about £500 for Anxiety UK.
Mum Catherine Briggs, 46, who works as a human resources manager, said: “I think its amazing for a girl so young to show such courage and do this.
“I am so proud of her. The response she has had from other people who have the condition has been remarkable.
“Literally thousands of people have come forward and said what an inspiration she is to all those who have it.
“It is not a commonly known condition and people have been saying it is nice to know they are not alone in facing it.”
She added: “She has only had the problem for a few months, but her hair was coming out.
“When it gets severe it can lead to bald patches.
“We hope shaving her head will also help her to stop pulling at her hair when it grows back.”
Maigan has posted pictures and a short video of her visit to the salon on Facebook. More than 9,000 people have since posted ‘likes’ and 3,000 have posted comments.
Katie Crow commented “you are so brave”, Bailie Little said “I admire you so much.”
Matthew Donnachie described her as a “true inspiration.”
Anyone who would like to donate can visit her fundraising page at http://www.bmycharity.com/shavedhead
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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