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The first cut is for neediest

Five-year-old donates first haircut, money to help produce wig for another child
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Birthday buddies Reao Hutchinson

Having never had a haircut, five-year-old Summer Knowles of Campbell River is planning to make her first one memorable.

Throughout the month of February, Summer has embarked on a fund-raising effort for Locks of Love, which creates and provides wigs for children suffering from hair loss due to illnesses such as cancer and alopecia.

“Our goal is to gain community awareness, likes on our Facebook page that we update frequently, and overall donations to help us reach $1,000 — the amount needed to create a wig from donated hair,” said Andrea Knowles, Summer’s mother.

As of Wednesday evening, the campaign had raised $690. It will continue until Feb. 28, when Summer plans to have 10 inches of her waist-long hair cut for donation, along with all funds raised.

The fund-raiser kicked off Feb. 1, complete with daily updates on Facebook at Summer’s First Haircut Fundraiser.

The youngster has been joined in the effort by her lifelong best friend and “birthday buddy” Reao, who appears with Summer in many of the almost daily videos posted on the Facebook page to update supporters.

“We are currently working on securing a location for the cut, a stylist and community sponsors to help make Summer’s experience a special one,” said Knowles.

To contribute to Summer’s Locks of Love campaign, donors can e-transfer funds to summersfirstcut@hotmail.com.

Additional info is available at www.locksoflove.org.