Caring Burnley teenager's sacrifice is tribute for her lifelong friend

A teenager, who sacrificed her crowning glory in honour of her childhood friend who died after contracting the deadly sepsis bug, is the pride of her family and school.
Molly hands over a cheque for 760 to Ethan's dad Andrew after  completing her haircut challenge.Molly hands over a cheque for 760 to Ethan's dad Andrew after  completing her haircut challenge.
Molly hands over a cheque for 760 to Ethan's dad Andrew after completing her haircut challenge.

Sixteen-year-old Molly Shaw, a student at Burnley's Blessed Trinity RC College, raised the grand total of £760 when she had her waist length blonde hair cut into a bob.

Molly's hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust charity which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer and other illnesses.

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She was inspired by her classmate and good friend Ethan Hun 916)t who died last month after being struck down with the deadly sepsis virus.

Molly before her haircutMolly before her haircut
Molly before her haircut

Ethan, who battled for his life for four weeks, was placed in an induced coma by doctors who also had to make the heartbreaking decision to amputate both his legs.

Devastated by the news, Molly wanted to do something to help the fund that was set up to buy new legs for Ethan so she set up her own gofundme page.

He proud mum Marianne said: "Molly is a very strong and resilient teenager and was keen to raise as much money as she possibly could towards the funds for Ethan’s new legs.

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"And because she wanted as many people as possible to benefit from her cutting her hair off she decided to donate it to the Little Princess charity."

Molly Shaw had her hair cut for charity in memory of her friend Ethan Hunt who died after contracting sepsis.Molly Shaw had her hair cut for charity in memory of her friend Ethan Hunt who died after contracting sepsis.
Molly Shaw had her hair cut for charity in memory of her friend Ethan Hunt who died after contracting sepsis.

Marianne tried to persuade Molly to do a sponsored walk instead of the hair cut as her prom is due and she has chosen her hairstyle to match her dress.

Marianne said: "She just said that her hair could grow back but Ethan would never regain his legs.

"It is so selfless of a teenage girl to do something like this.

"We are so proud of her."

Molly before her haircutMolly before her haircut
Molly before her haircut
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When Molly and her classmates heard the heartbreaking news that Ethan had lost his battle for life they were devastated.

But for Molly it was more important than ever to go ahead with her fund raising.

The hair cut took place at Padiham's Vanilla salon and owner Vicky Holland, who did the honours, also donated the cost of the hair cut to the fund.

Molly was joined by her mum, dad Craig and her brother and sister, George (12) and six-year-old Ella.

Molly Shaw had her hair cut for charity in memory of her friend Ethan Hunt who died after contracting sepsis.Molly Shaw had her hair cut for charity in memory of her friend Ethan Hunt who died after contracting sepsis.
Molly Shaw had her hair cut for charity in memory of her friend Ethan Hunt who died after contracting sepsis.
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Ethan's parents, Melanie and Andrew, went along and afterwards Molly sent her own moving message to Ethan saying: "Well Ethan, I've done it for you. I hope you are living the life to the max up in the clouds, miss ya pal!"

The money Molly raised will be donated the Ethan Hunt charity which will go towards the ECMO charity fund.

ECMO stands for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a bypass for heart and lungs to oxygenate the blood allowing these organs to rest

Ethan was given ECMO treatment while in intensive care.

The fund goes towards the treatment and also care and help for families.