A TEENAGER has had 14 inches of hair cut off to raise thousands of pounds for a Southend charity in memory of a brave six-year-old boy.

Ellie Lakin, 19, has raised nearly £2,000 for Gold Geese, a south Essex children’s cancer support charity, after it supported the family of Ellis Wild, her little sister’s friend who died last year.

The 19-year-old had 14 inches – more than 35cm – of hair cut off and smashed her original £500 fundraising target.

Amazing - Ellie Lakin after the charity haircutAmazing - Ellie Lakin after the charity haircut (Image: Gold Geese)


As well as fundraising for Gold Geese, Ellie’s hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes wigs for children with cancer.

Gold Geese offers practical and emotional support to local families of children and young people fighting cancer in south east Essex.

Support is tailored to each family’s needs and ranges from funding for mental health therapy and food shop vouchers to toys, weekend trips away and practical help with travel to and from hospital.

The charity also provides bereavement support for local families who have lost a child to cancer, and has helped Ellis’ family since he died last year.

Family - Ellis Wild with mums Tracy and AmyFamily - Ellis Wild with mums Tracy and Amy (Image: Gold Geese)


Tracy and Amy Wild, Ellis’ mothers, said: “Since Ellis was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in 2021 we have met some genuinely kind people and received so much love and support from so many.

“Sadly our beautiful boy Ellis passed away at just six years old in October last year.

“Gold Geese have been immensely supportive. Through their financial help we were able to purchase beautiful memorial rings that bring us so much comfort and they arrange specialist emotional support for us.

“This is invaluable and wouldn’t have been possible without their help. They really are an amazingly caring charity and we love what they stand for.”

Ellie explained her motivations for the hair cut fundraiser, adding: “My little sister, Winnie, met Ellis at Jump Street last year and they hit it off, so our families stayed in touch.

“I wanted to raise money in Ellis’ name after he passed last October and his mum recommended Gold Geese because of the crucial support they were given.

“Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me.”