Last updated at 14:15, Friday, 02 November 2012

Two West Cumbria call centre workers had their heads shaved for charity after hearing of the plight of a Workington girl with alopecia.

SNIP SNIP: Joseph Ghayouba, front left, and Matthew MacDonald, front right, with Melissa Smithson and Alex Cronin

Five-year-old Tia Moore’s story touched Matthew MacDonald and Joseph Ghayouba so much that they decided to lose their hair to help fund a wig for the youngster, who has lost all her hair.

The United Utilities workers had their hair shaved off at the firm’s Whitehaven call centre and raised £500, which was matched by their employer.

Tia’s cousin Melissa Smithson, 25, of Maryport, works for United Utilities and said the family was over the moon.

She said: “The money will all be donated to the Little Princess Trust, which provides the wigs for free, but it costs them £700 to make the wigs so this will help other people too.

“I asked around the office to see if we could use one of our regular charity days to raise some money for the trust. I thought we might make £150 but this is absolutely wonderful.”

Matthew, 24, of Central Road, Dearham, said: “I was already balding and I think I was in denial but now I’ve got used to it I think I’ll stay like this. It’s a lot easier to manage.

“I was happy to help Tia because I’m good friends with Melissa.”

Joseph, 25, of Whitehaven, normally sports an afro hairstyle so it was a big step to get it all chopped off.

He said: “It’s worth it knowing we did it for Tia. My dad’s a doctor and he was telling me about alopecia. It must be bad to anyone who gets it but especially for a little girl.”

The event was organised by the pair’s colleague Alex Cronin.

First published at 11:49, Friday, 02 November 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk