Following the West Lancashire Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society (WLMCPSS) annual general meeting held in July 2026, members considered proposals for the society’s annual charitable donations. Two charities had been nominated and members overwhelmingly agreed that each should receive a donation of £400.
The chosen charities were Little Lady Locks, an organisation providing free, bespoke wigs, hair systems and hair accessories to children and young people under the age of 18 years who are experiencing hair loss through cancer and more permanent hair loss, like alopecia. The second charity to receive a donation was Blackpool Polar Bears, which provides swimming facilities and opportunities for people with disabilities.
The WLMCPSS was warmly invited to visit Little Lady Locks in Manchester to gain a greater understanding of the charity, its work and the services it provides. Representing the WLMCPSS on the visit were treasurer Lawrence Alston, shoot captain Mick Woods and secretary Chris Tittley. On arrival at the Little Lady Locks premises, the WLMCPSS representatives were warmly welcomed by Ashley Higgins, together with her mother, Michelle and brother, Reece.
Little Lady Locks was founded in 2018 by Ashley, supported by her mother and brother. Ashley had previously operated her own hair salon specialising in hair-loss solutions for adults. Through her work, she became increasingly aware of the often traumatic experiences faced by children suffering from hair loss, including bullying, isolation and a lack of affordable solutions to help them manage what can be a very visible and very distressing condition.
Determined to make a difference, Ashley set out to establish Little Lady Locks, creating a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people affected by hair loss. Through the generosity of sponsors, volunteers, local businesses and members of the public, the charity has developed its premises into a welcoming and fully equipped facility providing a wide range of services and support to children under 18 years.
The WLMCPSS representatives were given a comprehensive tour of the premises, which provided a fascinating insight into the breadth of work undertaken by the charity. The confidence and positivity of the children benefiting from the facility were evident throughout the visit.
The charity provides a range of hair systems designed to meet different levels of hair loss, including partial hair systems for patch coverage, top hair systems for loss across the crown and top of the head and full hair systems for complete or extensive hair loss.
The hairdressing parlour is operated by Kym, a dedicated volunteer who cuts hair and undertakes refitting and adjustments to wigs and hair systems where required. The facility also provides an opportunity for members of the public to donate their own hair, which can then be used in the creation of wigs and hair systems for children experiencing hair loss.
Another particularly inspiring facility is the Rapunzel Tower, a dedicated retreat where children can receive support following the removal of their hair before being fitted with a wig or hair system. It also provides a special space for children who have chosen to donate their own hair to help create wigs or hair systems for other young people experiencing hair loss. Children visiting the Rapunzel Tower are able to choose a gift for themselves from a selection of gifts and other items generously donated to the charity, helping to make what can otherwise be a difficult and emotional experience into a positive and memorable occasion.
Supporting the wider community, the premises also include a children’s charity shop containing a wide selection of books, games and clothing, all generously donated by members of the local community. A separate charity shop provides a large selection of wigs and hair systems donated by individuals who have previously used them but no longer require them anymore. These donations enable the charity to give new life to wigs and systems while helping other children who are experiencing hair loss.
The tour also included the newly established Little Lad Locks facility, specifically designed to support boys and young men under the age of 18 years who are also experiencing hair loss. This dedicated space recognises that young men and boys can face many of the same challenges and anxieties as young women and girls. It provides an environment where they can feel comfortable, confident and more importantly, like themselves again.
The final part of the visit took the group upstairs to Eliza Land, a specialist play and activity facility created in memory of Eliza Landa, who sadly suffered from a terminal illness. A generous £10,000 donation from the Morrisons Foundation has enabled the charity to install vital equipment and accessories within this wonderful facility. Eliza Land is a magical party and activity room, which is provided free of charge to terminally ill children and their families. The facility offers families an opportunity to create happy and lasting memories together, in a welcoming and supportive environment.
The visit provided the WLMCPSS representatives with a much greater understanding of the incredible work being undertaken by Ashley Higgins, her family and the dedicated team of volunteers and supporters at Little Lady Locks.
Speaking following the visit, Chris Tittley commented: “Little Lady Locks is a wonderful example of community engagement and what can be achieved through determination, compassion and the generosity of others. The facilities are incredibly impressive, but more importantly, the work undertaken by Ashley and her team makes a genuine difference to the lives of children and their families at what can be an extremely difficult time. We were delighted to have the opportunity to visit the charity, see the facilities for ourselves and gain a better understanding of the invaluable services they provide. The WLMCPSS is extremely pleased to support Little Lady Locks with this £400 donation and wishes Ashley, her family and all the dedicated volunteers every success for the future.”
