Kidderminster girl with rare disorder gives back to charity

Megan Ford and her family wanted to give something back to Wyre Forest Home-Start, which has supported them since the youngster's diagnosis at just seven weeks of age.

Six-year-old Megan is one of just a few people in the UK to suffer from the rare chromosome disorder, Trisomy 9 Mosaic, which is caused by having three copies of chromosome number nine in her body.

Megan Ford donated 12 inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust

To thank the charity for its support over the years, Megan's mum Jo organised for the youngster to donate her hair to the Little Princess Trust to be made into a wig for a child with cancer, while also raising funds for Home-Start.

Jo told The Shuttle: "Megan and our family have been supported by Home-Start since she and her twin brother Oliver were little babies.

"We hadn't heard of Home-Start before we were referred and I think a lot of people assume you need have low income or have drug issues to benefit from their support, which isn't the case. They're there for anybody who needs it.

"They help so many people who are struggling in a variety of ways, so we wanted to do something to raise money while also raising awareness of what they do."

Megan raised over £300 for Home-Start Wyre Forest

Over the years, Home-Start has organised for volunteers to spend one-to-one time with Megan and her brother Oliver, co-ordinated fundraising for specialist equipment to help Megan at home, and supported the family through regular group sessions.

During lockdown, the charity also provided a volunteer to support the Fords with Megan's care and delivered weekly activity packs for Megan and her siblings.

Jo said: "Home-Start has been there for Megan and for me and the rest of our family. Sometimes it's just coming round for a cup of tea or playing games with Oliver so he gets that one-on-one time too.

"I've had to take unpaid leave from work to look after Megan since the lockdown and her care is 24/7. She's an incredibly happy little girl but she demands a lot of attention.

"Home-Start contacted me the first week of lockdown and offered to send out a volunteer to help us. It gives me time to put the washing on or take a shower.

"We've had no help from anywhere else, we don't have any other family around - Home-Start are the only ones that have been there for us throughout."

The Fords began collecting sponsors for Megan's hair cut as she grew out her locks during the lockdown and managed to raise £320 for Home-Start.

Jo said: "Megan had all this lovely hair and we were struggling as a family to come up with a way to give something back as we don't have a lot of spare time.

"I saw online that the Little Princess Trust was in need of longer hair so we spent a few weeks conditioning Megan's hair really well and making it look lovely. We donated 12 inches of Megan's hair to the Little Princess Trust.

Megan grew her hair during lockdown to donate to the Little Princess Trust

"We didn't expect so many donations, it was great. The hairdresser donated her fee too.

"Megan had a huge smile on her face after the hair cut and was stroking her hair. The short hair really suits her."

A spokesman for Home-Start Wyre Forest said: "What a wonderful effort! Meg Ford has raised £300 for us through her haircut fundraiser, arranged by mum Jo.

"Thank you to all who donated, including the hairdresser, and supported Meg and to a very special little girl for helping in this way.

"The new style looks gorgeous on Meg. What a wonderful family. Thank you from us all."

People can follow Megan's journey on Facebook by searching Megan; Trisomy 9 Mosaic Star or visit homestartwyreforest.org.uk to donate.