Gabby's on a hair-raising mission to help Nepal rebuild

The 23-year-old, from Knott End, is organising a fund-raising night, to take place at the Shovels Inn, Hambleton, on Saturday, February 27.

As part of the night, she will be asking people to sponsor her to have her head shaved.

Gabrielle is hoping to raise money to help her fund her volunteering mission in Nepal.

Next month, she will be heading out to Nepal – which last year was badly hit by devastating earthquakes and is still rebuilding and recovering – as a VSO volunteer.

And she will be donating her chopped-off locks to the charity the Little Princess Trust, which makes real hair wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

Gabrielle – who runs her own glass-decorating business, Gabby’s Glitters – said: “I wanted to do something to help.

“My mum had something wrong with her brain a few years ago and she went bald through it.

“After seeing that and what she went through, I just thought to myself I should do a sponsored headshave, as it will grow back.

“The Little Princess Trust is such a great charity, it helps children who have lost their hair through cancer. So I felt it was only right to donate my hair to them.

“My hair is currently around midway down my upper-arm in length, and I will be having it shaved with a number two razor – so it will be a big difference.

“I am a little bit nervous, but it will grow back and knowing I will be able to help people means it’s worth it.

“I’ve always wanted to volunteer overseas ever since I left school.

“I will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal, to help with a project in a local community and school. People in Nepal need as much help as we can give, after the devastating earthquake that tore their country apart.

“This means a lot to me – as I’ll be helping people who struggle through life and haven’t got the same chances or choices we have.

“I’ll be doing whatever is needed really – things like teaching English, doing some building work. I’m going out in March, for three-and-a-half months.”

The fund-raising night at the Shovels will include entertainment from a DJ, karaoke and a raffle. It starts at 7.30pm, with the headshave taking place at 9pm.

Gabrielle said: “I’ve got some amazing prizes which people have kindly donated.

“We’ve got food hampers, vouchers, a ticket for someone to be a domestic ‘slave’ for a day and do all their cleaning, of course I am putting in some glasses hand-decorated by myself too.

“As well as raising money – and me having my head shaved – the idea is this event will be a fun night, something for everyone to enjoy.”

* To donate money to Gabrielle, visit the website at www.justgiving.com/Gabrielle-McPhee1/