Begelly teenager donates hair to Little Princess Trust and funds to Paul Sartori Foundation

A TEENAGER from Begelly has captured the hearts of his community after chopping off his distinctive long red hair in support of two worthy causes.

Fifteen-year-old Luca Davies had been growing his hair for several years with a clear goal in mind. On Friday, 25 April 2025, he made good on his promise—visiting Andrew Price’s Narberth salon, where stylist Nathan gave him a dramatic new look. The donated hair will now go to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real-hair wigs to children and young people who lose their hair due to cancer or other medical conditions.

But Luca didn’t stop there. Alongside the hair donation, he launched a fundraising campaign in aid of The Paul Sartori Foundation, Pembrokeshire’s hospice-at-home charity. His connection to the Foundation runs deep—he spent a full year volunteering at their Narberth store between January 2024 and January 2025, gaining valuable experience and insight into the charity’s work supporting families facing end-of-life care.

Reflecting on his efforts, Luca said:“Being a member of Paul Sartori showed me what it means to help the community. The money raised will go to Paul Sartori, and my hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust.”

Luca’s fundraiser gained impressive momentum. Within a month of announcing his plan, donations exceeded £500. By the day of the haircut, he had raised £1,480 online—excluding Gift Aid. A later update on social media revealed that the total reached £2,215.50, a testament to the incredible support from friends, family, local businesses, and strangers moved by Luca’s story.

Among the supporters was Lloyds Jewellers, and Luca’s JustGiving page was filled with messages of praise, including “you’re a superstar!”

Joanne Lutwyche, Community Fundraising Officer at the Paul Sartori Foundation, praised Luca’s commitment: “By undertaking this sponsored haircut and raising more vital funds, Luca highlights the importance of young people’s support of our local hospice-at-home charity. We rely on efforts like this to keep our clinical services operating for free for families in Pembrokeshire.”

From his fellow volunteers to schoolteachers and well-wishers online, Luca’s dedication has sparked widespread admiration. His story stands as a powerful example of youth-driven compassion, proving that age is no barrier to making a real difference.

At the Paul Sartori Foundation, Luca Davies is proudly hailed as a Teenage Hero.

Photo: Cheque presentation featuring Luca Davies, Emily Davies and Joanne Lutwyche (Pic: Supplied)

Funding extension will continue respite work through Breathing Space Project

MS SOCIETY CYMRU has secured £44,000 in renewed funding to continue its vital support for unpaid carers across Wales, thanks to an extension of the Carers Support Fund.

The funding, which comes via the Carers Trust Wales and the Welsh Government, ensures that the society’s Breathing Space Project will continue operating until at least March 2026. The project offers unpaid carers of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) short breaks from their caring responsibilities — a crucial form of respite that has already supported 373 carers, including 105 new to the charity, over the past two years.

The Carers Support Fund, launched in 2022, has so far helped almost 30,000 unpaid carers throughout Wales. Grants issued through the fund aim to ease financial burdens, especially amid the rising cost of living. With this latest funding round — part of a wider £1.5 million investment — a further 8,000 carers across the country are expected to benefit.

Kate Cubbage, Director of Carers Trust Wales, said: “Unpaid carers across Wales provide invaluable care for family members, friends and loved ones, often at great personal sacrifice. We’ve heard from carers that the Carers Support Fund has been essential in keeping food on the table and heat in their homes. This programme is helping to sustain carers through some of the toughest times.

“The continued funding of £1.5 million will allow local carer organisations and partners to reach thousands more carers and offer vital support through to 2026. We are thrilled that MS Society Cymru has once again secured funding to continue its excellent work.”

Shelley Elgin, Director of MS Society Cymru, added: “We are delighted to receive this funding renewal, which reaffirms the importance of supporting unpaid carers who care for people living with MS. Their contributions often go unrecognised, yet they are the backbone of our healthcare system. This funding enables us to continue providing much-needed respite and assistance to those who play such a crucial role in our communities.”

Coming out accounts for over 40% of support sessions, as young people share fears of judgment and rejection

CHILDLINE provided more than 2,400 counselling sessions in 2024/25 to children and young people seeking support on issues relating to sexuality and gender identity.

Of those sessions, two in five (42%) focused on the issue of coming out, with many young people expressing anxiety about how they would be perceived by family, friends and peers.

As Pride Month continues, Childline is reminding children and young people that it offers a confidential and non-judgmental space to talk through their worries — no matter how big or small.

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, Childline delivered 2,411 counselling sessions on the topics of sexuality and gender identity. A significant proportion of those who got in touch raised concerns around being accepted if they were to come out, or were struggling with their mental health as a result of prejudice, bullying or discrimination.

A 12-year-old girl from Wales told Childline: “Some kids in my class make fun of LGBTQ+ people, and that really hurts me.
I want to tell my parents I’m a lesbian, but I’m scared people at school will find out.
I have supportive friends who would accept me and could even help me prepare for the conversation with my family, but I worry people will talk behind my back and judge me.”

A 17-year-old transgender boy shared: “I’m trans and still figuring my identity out. There’s been so much hate for us lately in the news — people taking their lives, kids being attacked, governments putting harmful laws in place. I’m scared about what that means for my future, and if I’ll ever be able to live as myself.”

Other common themes in the sessions included:

• Questioning sexuality or gender identity
• Experiences of bullying, discrimination, or prejudice
• Isolation and anxiety related to social acceptance
• Shaun Friel, Director of Childline, said:

“Coming out remains one of the most common issues raised by young people contacting Childline about their sexuality or gender identity.

“It’s a privilege that they trust us during such an important and personal moment in their lives. Our counsellors are here to offer safe, confidential, and impartial support to help them work through these complex emotions.

“This Pride Month, we want all young people to know that they are not alone – and that Childline is here for them, always.”

Adults are also encouraged to be open-minded, supportive and respectful when young people share or explore aspects of their identity.

Supporting Pride Cymru

NSPCC Cymru will join the parade at Pride Cymru in Cardiff this Saturday (June 22) in a show of solidarity with LGBTQ+ young people. The NSPCC will also attend 21 Pride events across the UK this summer, thanks to its ongoing partnership with Lidl GB. The supermarket is sponsoring the charity’s Pride presence for a third consecutive year.

Young people can contact Childline for free on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk to speak with a trained counsellor or access advice and information about sexuality, gender identity, and other concerns.