Carnival Prince to donate 25 inches of hair for cancer charities

Melksham’s seven-year-old Carnival Prince is set to have 25 inches of his hair cut off on carnival day to support this year’s Carnival Queen fundraising campaign for cancer awareness.

Guy Newman, whose hair currently measures 29 inches, is raising money for CoppaFeel! – a youth-focused breast cancer charity – in honour of Carnival Queen Debbie Holman, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and has been fundraising for the charity.

The haircut will take place on the morning of Melksham Carnival, Saturday 5th July, with local salon Libra Hair Studio carrying out the cut. Guy’s hair will also be donated to the Little Princess Trust, which provides real hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair due to cancer or other conditions.

“Guy will make his appearance with his new hair when the carnival parade goes out at 6pm,” said his mum, Michelle, who is also one of the carnival organisers. “He is very anxious – he’s worried he won’t like the style he’s picked. It’s a big change, and he wants to do it, although we’ve all told him he doesn’t have to.”

Having never had a haircut, Guy – a pupil at Aloeric School – said he’s feeling nervous ahead of the big day. “He has always loved it long,” said Michelle. “I’ve always said it’s his hair, and if he looks after it, he can do what he wants with it – but now, he’s ready to have it chopped off.

“Debbie has known Guy since he was a newborn and will be the first person to see his new haircut when she joins the family for breakfast that morning.”

“We are so proud of him,” Michelle added.

To donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/debbie-holman-1736785390304