DONATIONS from readers of The Argus have poured in to help a terminally ill girl get the wig she deserves.

Ashanti Elliot Smith, 11, suffers from alopecia and Hutchinson Gildford Progeria, a rare ageing disease that means she is not expected to live past the age of 15.

When she wore a pink wig to her local school, Oakmeeds Community College in Burgess Hill, teachers regarded it as head wear and told her to take it off.

Her family cannot afford human hair wigs, which can cost up to £600, and were given the bright pink one by friends.

Argus readers were so moved by our exclusive story on Thursday that some asked about donating straight away.

The Argus plans to channel contributions through The Argus Appeal, the paper’s charitable arm which has also donated £100 to the cause, and buy her a wig.

Editor of The Argus Michael Beard said: “The Argus Appeal is delighted to be kicking off the campaign and we’re sure readers of The Argus will rally round to make it happen.”

John Edwards, 62, of Plymouth Avenue, Brighton, was the first person to donate towards Ashanti’s new wig and get the ball rolling.

He said: “The sooner it gets done, the better. It’s bad enough for her as it is.”

Sylvia Warlow, 72, who used to live in Brighton but now resides in London, wrote out a cheque.

She said: “Everyone in London is going mad about it. I think it’s shocking what’s happened.

“She wants to be more like the other children, and every person wants to look nice. Why not make the child happy?”

Ashanti’s mother, Phoebe Smith, 29, from Burgess Hill, expressed her gratitude to The Argus when she found out readers were keen to help, and said others had also offered to buy her a wig.

She added: “I have only got a few years left with her so we want her to live it to the full.”

Wendy of The Little Princess Trust, a charity which has been funding wigs since 2006, said: “These wigs can make a huge difference to children like Ashanti. It allows them to keep their dignity and identity.

“A human hair wig only lasts about a year before it needs replacing so it is useful to have more than one wig.”

Colin Taylor, the headteacher of Oakmeeds, said the school was happy to discuss the issue with Ashanti and her mother.

 

 

Do you want to help?

Readers have been contributing as little as £5 to help. If you are interested in donating, send a cheque payable to The Argus Appeal, with a short explanatory note, to the following address: The Argus Appeal, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton BN1 8AR.

Any excess will be retained by The Argus Appeal for the good causes it supports.

The Argus is a registered charity – number 1013647.