Although growing long hair started when my mother questioned why the family budget should be spent on hairdressers for me (as a boy) when my sister and mother made do and took up the offer of a trim when friends offered.

Apart from the occasional (and sometimes wonky) trim of my fringe, my hair has never been cut since birth.

Watching my hair grow has been uncomfortable for some community members who believe in the traditions of boys being boys i.e. with short hair, and girls being girls with long hair. In essence, I feel that we should be focussing on the person rather than what they look like. So, with the emphasis on equality and staying true to my Native American roots, I have never known anything else and long hair has become part of my identity.

The time has come to have my hair cut; for a number of reasonings but in the main because;

1) I have been offered a chorister place at St Paul's Cathedral School; and

2) That we have an offer from a local hairdresser, Manuela, to cut it for free because our goal is charitable.

I would like to donate my hair to a Cancer Charity and at the same time, take the opportunity to raise some money for the amazing work done by local charity, Community Solutions.

Please help me raise funds by making a donation.

(P.S. Mum is cutting hers too to keep me company :)