Whitley Bay teen gets 'superhero haircut' in aid of children's cancer charity

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A teenager from Whitley Bay has been dubbed a 'superhero' after selflessly growing his hair out ready to be chopped and donated to make a wig for other children suffering hair loss recovering from cancer treatment.

Harrison Michael Tria Foster, who turned 13 in September, has been growing his hair out unprompted since November 2021. What started as a simple act has now however turned into a selfless deed. Not only is Harrison now set to donate his long locks to charity The Little Princess Trust, his persistence has become a fitting tribute to a family member he lost to cancer.

Harrison explained that he first grew his hair for the sake of it but changed his approach: "Slowly over time it started to become about raising awareness for cancer as my Uncle Germain in Canada had died from the disease. Then I became aware of the Little Princess Trust and decided to persist to reach the target of donating for a wig."

Now after three years of growing, Harrison is ready to donate his chopped locks to the charity: "What is funny is that now I have told people I’m getting it cut off, everyone has taken notice! I think they forgot over time that this was my target and everyone just knows me with long hair!"

Harrison wanted to honour his Great Uncle, Germain Lavictoire, who sadly lost his battle with cancer. Adding to the heartbreak, Germain, who was from Canada, died during the covid travel ban.

Harrison and his younger brother James in Canada with their great Uncle Germain and Auntie Aline in before COVID
Harrison and his younger brother James in Canada with their great Uncle Germain and Auntie Aline in before COVID

"It felt sudden to us as we were not able to say goodbye to him properly," Linda Tria, Harrison's mum, also originally from Canada, added. "So this has been Harrison’s way of quietly honouring him."

The Little Princess Trust, one of the largest funders of childhood cancer research in the UK, relies on the generosity of supporters who donate hair to create wigs for children and young people recovering from cancer. In order to make a wig, Harrison had to grow his hair to at least 12 inches.

"I knew it would take a while so kept going. I grew it even longer than the length required because I wanted to cut it after my birthday and starting Year 8.

"It was not easy at times because I got lots of questions about it. I was even called ‘Tarzan’ and ‘Greasy Hair’! But I didn’t let it affect me and continued to reach my goal."

True to his word, Harrison never gave up, and has been overwhelmed with support from the UK and beyond reaching as far as Canada and Australia, with many comments on his JustGiving page praising his efforts.

Hair prepped to be cut
Hair prepped to be cut

“I’m glad that Harrison persevered, he’s always been a strong willed boy. Most of all we’re happy for him, that he was able to set a target for himself and achieve it.

"It has been good for his confidence. We are all very proud of him, and are also very touched by all donations and especially for the charity," mum Linda added.

After an emotional day getting the chop last weekend at Winzer's Hair in Whitley Bay - a process which took staff who donated their time two hours to carefully complete by cutting individual ponytails to secure as much hair as possible - Harrison and his family are thrilled he has exceed his target of raising £700. This is the total cost needed by The Little Princess Trust to create a handmade wig from the donated hair.

The final length measured at an astonishing 40cm of hair ready to be donated. Harrison added that school friends have admitted it would be 'strange' to see him without his signature locks as they 'can't remember his short hair at this point'.

Dad, Peter Foster, who works for the charity Shelter in Newcastle, commented: “I'm so proud of Harrison for doing this! It’s amazing that he’s seen this through to the end. I have to say it will be strange though to see him with the shortest haircut he’s ever had."

Younger brother James, aged nine, said: "I am proud of my brother for carrying on and ignoring mean comments. I am so happy for him that he managed. I did it too for two years but last year I had my hair cut and it’s good that he carried on."

Harrison proudly holding his chopped hair ready to be donated
Harrison proudly holding his chopped hair ready to be donated

Sharing his final thoughts as he familiarises himself with the new shorter style, Harrison said: "My head is really cold now! A teacher asked me ‘is it like you have lost a limb?’ And I thought ‘well yes, a little bit, as it feels like a part of me is missing."

"I feel happy about it but I also feel a bit strange because I have a connection with my hair over the past three years. But I’m ready to donate it now and help someone.

"It will be strange not to feel the wind in my hair anymore. I know that my family and my friends are proud of me and especially for not giving up."