A nine-year-old girl plans to shave off her hair to help fund a memorial bench for a “selfless” family friend who took her own life.
Laura Evans, a 38-year-old who lived in Watford for all of her life, held a close bond with Erin, 9, before her death near the end of July.
Distraught over the loss of the family friend, Erin came up with the idea of shaving her head to provide support to the family and pay for the bench.
Her mother, Krissie Newton, said: “It was about two weeks after Laura died and we were watching telly and she said, ‘oh I want to shave my hair off’.
“She does understand – we’re very proud of her because she’s aware of what she’s doing and she knows that she’s not going to have any hair for sometime when it’s gone. But she’s adamant that we do it.”
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According to the mum, Laura knew Erin “before she was even born” and they “probably had the closest bond” out of her three children.
Laura befriended Krissie at the Watford nursery that their children were at and even though Krissie moved away to Yorkshire seven years ago they stayed in touch.
She was described as “selfless, kind, with beautiful orange hair and she always put other people before herself”.
The shaving event will take place at Woodham Burn Community Primary School in Newton Aycliffe, Durham, on October 20.
However it is hoped that the bench will be placed somewhere in Watford, after Laura’s family decide which place would be best suited in the town.
Any money donated will go towards a trust fund for Laura’s daughter for when she turns 18, as well as the bench. Left over money will go to mental health charity Mind.
The hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust to provide wigs for children with cancer.
To donate and support the fundraiser, visit: https://gofund.me/be35a3b2
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