Charity champion Beth is a cut above the rest

A big-hearted South Tyneside schoolgirl certainly used her head when she came up with a plan to help cut out domestic violence.

Caring Bethany Smith was so determined to do a whole ‘lock’ of good for victims of abuse that she agreed to lop off 14 inches of her hair for the cause.

The hair-raising scheme brought in a fantastic £200 of donations for the Options Impact Family Services, based in Beach Road, South Shields. which provides a range of vital support services to women who have suffered violence in the home.

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The generous 10-year-old, from South Shields, was eager to give the Options team - which includes her mum Emma Smith - an important boost in their efforts to tackle domestic abuse.

The cash will go towards Option’s Emergency Fund, which provide victims of abuse with emergency services such as lock changes and transport.

But the St Bede’s RC Primary School pupil’s good deeds didn’t stop there - as her shorn off hair is being handed over to nationwide charity The Little Princess Trust, who provide real-hair wigs to stricken youngsters who have suffered hair loss due to illness.

Bethany was delighted with her new look - carefully cultivated by Melanie Kirsopp, who runs Fabeauty and Hair in Front Street, Cleadon - and the chance to help a pair of worthy causes.

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Proud mum Emma Smith, who works as a Independent Domestic Violence Advisor and Counselling Coordinator for Options, said “Beth had seen little girls donating their hair which inspired her to do the same, she wanted to help make children suffering from horrible illnesses feel better.

“She wanted to get her hair cut, and wanted to raise money for a charity too, she has been asking friends at school and family to donate to her cause, and has even set up a GoFundMe website where the majority of the funds were donated.

“I am so proud of what Beth has done. She has raised money and continues to raise this for victims of domestic abuse who are in desperate need of the Options service. She is so generous and kind-hearted and I think she is amazing.

“I was gutted when she said she wanted to cut her hair but when she told me why I completely understood!”

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“ he had 14 inches cut off and she looks gorgeous with her new graduated bob. I couldn’t be any prouder!”

For more information on the work of Options Impact Family Services, contact Julie Robinson on 456 7577.