Leading homebuilder David Wilson Homes Mercia has donated £550 to The Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides children and young people with real hair wigs whilst also funding vital research into childhood cancers.
The developer, who is building homes at St. Catherine’s Grange in Ledbury, donated the money as part of their Community Fund initiative.
The charity was set up in 2006 in memory of Hannah Tarplee, a five year old girl who was diagnosed with a Wilms Tumour in 2004. Finding hair loss at such a young age especially traumatic, Hannah’s family struggled to find a wig through the NHS that would be suitable for a young child, so they decided the most fitting memorial would be a charity dedicated to providing wigs to children who had lost their hair due to cancer and other medical conditions.
Phil Brace, Chief Executive for The Little Princess Trust, said: “It can take up to 12 hair donations and £550 to provide a young person with a wig and so, as a charity without any paid fundraisers, the free service relies on the amazing support of the widespread family of LPT fundraisers.
“We felt hugely grateful for the donation and honoured to have been chosen by David Wilson Homes. The donation will cover the cost of providing one beautiful, real-hair wig to a child or young person experiencing the devastating effects of hair loss.
“Lockdown and Covid-19 have had a drastic impact on our charity and the Third Sector as a whole. Receiving this donation is an incredibly generous gift that will have a life-changing impact on a young cancer sufferer.”
In addition to its wig provision, The Little Princess Trust has also committed more than £7,000,000 to projects focused on kinder and more effective treatments for childhood cancers. The charity believes that no child should die from cancer and has made a promise to continue funding research focussed on making breakthroughs.
Dominic Harman, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “We are thrilled to have provided The Little Princess Trust with a donation from our Community Fund Scheme.
“We are committed to creating a positive impact on the surrounding areas in which we build and are pleased to have been able to contribute to help the charity carry on giving fantastic support throughout to children and young people suffering through such a traumatic experience.”
Phil continued: “The David Wilson Homes Community Fund scheme is a fantastic opportunity for small to medium organisations like ours to benefit from the generosity of a larger company, whilst forging new relationships with business in our locality.
“Thank you so much for choosing to support The Little Princess Trust. We are thrilled to welcome David Wilson Homes into the LPT family!”
For more information on The Little Princess Trust visit www.littleprincesses.org.uk
St. Catherine’s Grange is now open on an appointment only basis, to find out more visit www.dwh.co.uk/st-catherines-grange