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Brave Nicole gets a boost

23/ 4/2008

A CHADDERTON youngster is to be one of the first in the country to benefit from a new charity supplying wigs for sick children.

Nicole Hankes was diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this year and, after nearly three months of chemotherapy, has lost her hair.

But thanks to the Little Princess Trust, the 11-year-old will be measured and fitted with a wig similar to her real locks.

The Chadderton Hall Junior School pupil said: "When I’m not on treatment and allowed to go home, I won’t be as scared of going out shopping.

"If I’m out in my wheelchair because my legs are a bit wobbly then I won’t be worried about other children staring at me as much. In school, when we are visited in class, I don’t want people thinking I’m different.

"Sometimes I might feel really well but they might think I don’t because I’ve got no hair. But they can’t tell the difference if I’m wearing my wig."

Her parents, Wayne and Deborah, have had to come to terms with the shocking news of their daughter’s illness and were deeply concerned about how she would feel about the hair loss.

Wayne, of Canisp Close, said: "She had lovely long blond hair and one of the first things that goes through your mind is ‘you’re going to loose that’. It’s particularly difficult for children and a huge worry for girls.

"This is going to give her the extra confidence to go out. She’ll be able to do normal things that people take for granted and help her feel a bit better in herself."

The Little Princess Trust has set up new links with the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and the Hankes were offered a tailor-made wig for Nicole.

The hairpiece will be put together by hand and made of real hair.

"She’ll be able to style it any way that she wants," added Wayne. "She’s just been through the first two blocks of chemo and she’s not bad in herself but has a lot of aches and pains. It’s a long hard process.

"It won’t be until Christmas before her hair starts growing back You just can’t get your head around it all at first and it takes a while to sink in."

Each specialist wig – from a Midlands charity – costs around £300 to £400 and relies on contributions and hair donations.

Sister Elizabeth Pask, from the hospital children’s ward, said: "We’ve been using an adult service but the wigs aren’t always right for children.

"Losing hair is a major part of the illness for our patients, particularly teenage girls, and having this available will make all the difference in giving them the confidence to go back to school and mix with friends."

Tim Lowe, from the trust, added: "We are not aware of any similar wig-making charities in the UK and we want to make the service available to as many children as possible and boost fundraising ."

For information on the trust visit www.littleprincesses.org.uk