Haircuts which have the ability to change lives

Mechones Solidarios is a non-profit organisation, created four years ago, which makes wigs for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Last Sunday, on their anniversary, the charity hosted an event in Muelle Uno, inside Malaga's port, to raise money and collect hair for wigs.

Each haircut cost five euros, with all money raised going towards the making of wigs. A minimum of 20 centimetres of hair is needed to make a wig. Although, on this day, they were also offering haircuts to those who did not meet these requirements, as well as offering massages and selling merchandise in order to make the greatest amount of money possible.

Estella Guerisoli, president of Mechones Solidarios, was very pleased with the outcome of the event, which carried out 456 haircuts and had people queuing up for them before the event had even started. Lots of the people in attendance had heard about the event through social media, and many were tourists who happened to be passing by Muelle Uno.

Between six and 15 ponytails and up to 500 euros are needed to make a wig. The process involves cutting the hair, disinfecting it, and classifying the hair by colour, texture, and length. Mechones Solidarios receives hair donations from all over Spain.

Whoever requests a wig from the charity has to show medical records to prove that they are undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The price of a wig is based on the family's income. For women with low incomes and children under 14-years-old the wig is free.