Belle of the ball for vital fundraising

Bethany Burrows, a 20-year-old student, from North Shore, has been given the chop – but all for a good cause.

Bethany, who works part-time for Blackpool-based Princess Parties, had 13 inches cut off her luscious long locks, for the Little Princess Trust.

Together with her boss, the owner of Princess Parties Bessie McMillan, she also organised a fundraising night to raise money for the charity, which provides wigs made from donated hair for children who have lost their hair due to cancer.

The family fairy-tale evening, which took place at St Kentigern’s Social Club, Blackpool, featured a host of princes and princesses, games, quiz, tombola, raffle and table top sale, and raised around £900.

Hairdresser Sarah Warburg, at Ashley Alexander hair salon, cut Bethany’s hair the following day.

Bethany, who is studying musical theatre at the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, said: “I had heard about the work of the Little Princess Trust and saw some of my friends had donated to it.

“I had really long hair and felt it was something I could do, as it will grow back.

“The Little Princess Trust does such important work for children and families, who are going through so much, and knowing my hair might make even a small difference to someone’s life is amazing.

“I encourage anyone who can to donate their hair. When mine is long enough again, I plan to donate even more.

“We had a great fundraising evening and I’m grateful to the other princes and princesses at Princess Parties for their support.

“And my friend Bessie, who owns Princess Parties who was fantastic.

“I really enjoy working at Princess Parties. I love entertaining the children, getting to wear the dresses and just being a princess for the day.”

Bessie McMillan, owner of Princess Parties, Blackpool, who lives in Bispham, said: “We’ve always done what we can to add some sparkle to difficult times, Beth has taken it to the next level and I am immensely proud of her selflessness.

“When Beth said she was cutting her hair for the Little Princess Trust, I wanted to help, I thought we could make it a big event.

“I’d read about the charity a while ago.

“And we visit Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Christmas Day, so we have seen how poorly some children are.

“We always like to do whatever we can to help. Children’s charities are especially important to us.

“It was an amazing event, it went really well and we’re all really pleased.”

Bessie set up the business two years ago – which involves actors dressing up as princes and princesses and providing entertainment, games and songs at parties and events, to make them magical.

• To support Bethany’s fundraising visit givepenny.com/bethanyburrows_hairdonation

• To find out more about Princess Parties, see www.facebook.com/Princess-Parties-Blackpool