Alyssa Robinson (10) has followed in her mum’s footsteps in caring for the community as she has chopped off her Rapunzel locks in aid of two children’s charities.

It’s the second time Alyssa has chopped her hair off, this time in aid of Cancer Fund for Children, the store’s charity partner, which provides support to young people and their families living with cancer across the island of Ireland, and which has been partnered with the EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA brands since 2011.

Each time, Alyssa has donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, which provides real hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

Alyssa’s mum Chelsea is the community rep at EUROSPAR Greencastle Street, Kilkeel, managing the newly reopened fresh market superstore’s engagement with the local community.

In April 2021, Alyssa previously cut her hair as a fundraiser for Southern Area Hospice in memory of her Great Granda Herbie and now, after four years of growing her lovely long, red hair out, she has been inspired by the store’s connection with Cancer Fund for Children to do it for them this time.

16 inches were chopped off Alyssa’s long, red hair, and the 10 year old raised an incredible £2,244.89 through donations from the store’s generous shoppers and staff, every penny of which will go to the charity, which runs its Daisy Lodge respite centre in Newcastle, Co. Down.

Speaking of her decision to cut her hair, Alyssa said; “I wanted to cut my hair and donate it because it made me sad knowing little girls were sick and didn’t have any hair [due to their treatment]. I have lots to give so I hope it makes them happy.”

Chelsea added she was so proud of her daughter; “Alyssa has grown up understanding that we can and we should help our neighbours if we can, while also having a lot of fun! She would always help out with in-store fundraising and wanted to do her own fundraiser for Cancer Fund for Children, while donating her hair to the Little Princess Trust. I’m so proud of her cutting her hair in aid of two charities that do so much for young people and their families.

“Cancer Fund for Children is an exceptional organisation that provides so much care for families, especially through Daisy Lodge which is located in our part of the world, and a very special place for families to recuperate and have time away from hospitals and tests and treatments when they need it the most.”

Community engagement is hugely important for all at the store, with many initiatives implemented since the store opened in 2008 and over the past 17 years. Throughout the construction of the new-look store, which has recently reopened, it was the team’s mission to keep their support of local groups and charities going.

Chelsea added; “We have an even bigger team to reach even more people in the local area now. Throughout the build we provided breakfast for parents and tots at Newry Street Unite and donated compost and freshly made in-store meals to the local Men’s Shed. We make monthly donations to Cornerstone Foodbank and also recently made a donation of books to support positive mental wellbeing to Regenerate.

“Our team also completed a litter pick with pupils from Kilkeel Primary School, visited staff and residents at Slieve Roe House and brought Barista Bar drinks and treats and of course, Alyssa did her hair cut for Cancer Fund for Children, who we fundraise for in-store daily.”

Store Manager, John Fox added; “All of us at Henderson Retail are hugely proud of the team at EUROSPAR Greencastle Street, including Alyssa, who have put so much into their community engagement. We are at the heart of the local community here, and Alyssa will inspire us all to keep going in our mission to support our local community groups, charities, schools, churches and care homes as we continue to operate in the area.”

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