This was such a lovely story to work on recently. Basically an Inverness boy who has seen both his best friend and close relative affected by cancer and he wanted to raise money for charity by having his head shaved for charity.

A BOY who has seen both a friend and a close relative diagnosed with cancer will have his head shaved later this month for charity.

Sam Maclennan, a 10-year-old from Ardness Place, Inverness will lose his locks at noon on Saturday, June 25.

The Balloch Primary School pupil is going for the chop in aid of Cancer Research UK after both his friend Frodi and granny Ilene were diagnosed with cancer. His grandmother sadly died from the disease.

He said: “I would like to help other people fight it so that they can live. I heard at school that there were other people donating money to charity and I thought it would be a good idea.”

Sam said he is actually looking forward to the head shave, with his family fully supportive of his efforts.

“They were surprised at first but I think they are proud of me now,” he said. 

“So far I have raised £730 and I would like to raise as much as possible.”

His mother, 41-year-old Julie Douglas, a network engineer with Openreach, said: “Myself and my partner Ross and all of our family far and wide are incredibly proud of Sam for doing this for charity.

“He has such a big heart and just loves to help others where he can.

“It was all his own idea to shave his head to raise money for Cancer Research UK. He lost his granny when he was just six months old and has always felt cheated of a wonderful person in his life. His school friend has been fighting cancer too and it made Sam so sad to see his best friend so poorly.”

The head shave will take place at the Chris Crook Salon in Ardross Street, Inverness.

• To make a donation visit Just Giving.

From the Highland News on Thursday, June 9, 2022

Head shave is a boost for charity

A BOY who braved the shave for charity has raised more than £1400. 

Sam Maclennan, a 10-year-old from Ardness Place in Inverness, had originally hoped to raise £800 from his effort.

Now almost double that will be donated to Cancer Research UK, the fundraiser carried out in honour of his friend Frodi and granny Ilene who were both diagnosed with cancer.

His grandmother died from the disease when Sam was younger.

He had his head shaved at the Chris Crook Salon, in Ardross Street, Inverness on Saturday.

Speaking after the event his mother, 41-year-old Julie Douglas, said she was proud of him.

She added: “Sam was so excited in the run up to the big day, he talked about how much his money would help others and how good it felt to help others.

“On the day he felt happy and motivated. When he went to sit in the barber’s chair he said he felt a bit nervous but he soon felt better once Kath started to shave his hair.”

Ms Douglas said the event went wonderfully and staff and customers at the salon were “absolutely amazing” for her son who attends Balloch Primary School. She added: “He got a huge round of applause when it was all finished.

“He said he felt very happy afterwards because he knew it was for a good cause, he said his head felt a bit strange though with having no hair.

“I am immensely proud of my little warrior boy, he has done such a brave thing and set such an example for others.

“He’s done amazingly well and has, to date, raised more than £1400, however, I still have donations to collect for him, so this will go up.”

She said that, on behalf of Sam and all his family, she wanted to thank the staff and customers at Chris Crook for their support and donations.

“They made it so special for him,” she said. “I’d also like to thank everyone who has donated to his page so far, you all have made a massive difference and this means the world to Sam.”

From the Highland News on Thursday, June 30, 2022.