Boy Bullied for his Long Hair Donates Locks to Charity

Be inspired by this eight-year-old boy who endured being bullied because he decided to let his hair grow out. Why? He wanted to donate a few locks to children who didn’t have any.

American eight-year-old boy Christian McPhilamy began growing out his hair after watching a commercial for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital when he was six years old.

Two years later, and now in the second grade, he has chopped it off and donated them to Children with Hair Loss.

Children with Hair Loss is a charity that provides free hairpieces to children who have lost their hair due to burns, or medical reasons like cancer, according to Florida Today.

“After 2 years of growing his hair, Christian has reached his goal of donating over 10 inches in 4 ponytails,” wrote his mom 28-year-old Deeanna Thomas on Facebook.

“He has endured an awful lot of criticism, and yes even bullying, throughout his time.

“From his peers calling him a girl to even coaches and family friends telling him he should cut it or offering him money to.

“Even still, he has never once, strayed from his goal and always took the time to educate others on why he made the choice to grow his hair. I am one proud mommy as always,” said Thomas.

McPhilamy told Florida Today that he received comments that made him feel “not very good” and classmates who he said “tried to call me a girl.”

Thomas even recalls an adult who was offering to give money just so McPhilamy would cut off his hair. Another suggested the same but apologized later after learning why the boy was choosing to grow it out.

“I just wanted to give a wig away,” said McPhilamy.

Thomas, a mother of two, said that she tries to raise children who know that it’s “not just about you.”

“It’s about everyone. It’s about everybody helping everybody, and everybody being involved in their community,” she said.


Sources:
June 4, 2015. "Florida boy grew his hair for two years and endured bullying to donate it to charity". independent.co.uk
June 4, 2015. "Boy battles bullies for two years after growing ponytails to donate to girls with cancer". mirror.co.uk

Photos from mirror.co.uk