Woman earns world record for longest hair donation

A Devon woman has become the world record holder for the longest hair donation after shaving her head.

Ruth Tripp, from South Molton, said she donated 67 inches (172cm) of hair to The Little Princess Trust - a charity which makes real-hair wigs for children with cancer and other conditions.

She has also been awarded the title of Guinness World Record (GWR) holder for the largest single donation of hair by a woman.

Ms Tripp, 38, an accountant, told the BBC it was time to "chop off" her long hair when it reached the floor.

Ms Tripp, who is a mother of four, said children said she had "princess hair" which prompted her to donate to the charity.

She said it would take a "few hours" to dry every time she washed it.

"If I took my hair down while I was out, then children would say 'mummy look at that princess hair' and they would ask to have hair like that," she said.

"That's what children want, so I knew I should give it to someone else.

"I thought it would be better to give it away, so somebody could actually use it and make the most of it."

Instead of opting for a bob hair-style, like many of the Little Princess Trust donors, Ms Tripp decided to go "all the way" to get most out of her donation as well as make this cut memorable.

"I think the Little Princess Trust was a bit shocked," said Ms Tripp.

"They do ask for long-hair donations, but I don't think they realised what they were quite going to get from me.

Ms Tripp also said she did not really enjoy visiting the hairdressers as the hair seems to be "wasted".

"If we can change what people think, they donate their hair instead of it just going to waste," she said.

"It was a shock once it was gone… but I have done something good with it so it's ok and it is growing back well."

"I'll keep it growing so I can donate it again."

Ms Tripp said she visited the Little Princess Trust and saw where the wigs were made, adding it took a lot of hair to create just one wig for a child.

"It takes a lot of money and time to make the wigs but i'st all real hair they use which makes it nicer for the children to wear and they can style them," she added.

Wendy Tarplee-Morris, one of the founders of The Little Princess Trust, said: "We always encourage our supporters to grow their hair as long as they can as it helps us meet the demand for our popular longer wigs."

The previous world record holder for longest hair donated was 61 inches (155cm), said Ms Tripp, and she was "surprised" when they told her just how much hair she had chopped off.

Adam Millward, managing editor at GWR, said: "While breaking any record requires dedication and passion to some extent, certain feats call for something extra.

"In the case of the largest single donation of hair, arguably the most vital attributes are self-sacrifice and kindness.

"It's a privilege for GWR to be able to celebrate these selfless hair-raising heroes as well as to champion the stellar work of The Little Princess Trust."

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