The Olympics are well underway now, and people all over the globe are celebrating the successes of their country’s team of sportsmen and women. With the hopes of a nation behind them, most of the athletes spent the run up to London 2012 focused on the Games alone. However, 19 year-old American Miranda Leek still found the time during her rigorous preparations to donate a large amount of hair to charity.
Olympic archer Leek had just celebrated her 19th birthday when she gave 12 inches of hair to a charitable group called Locks of Love, who specialise in providing hair pieces to children who have experienced hair loss due to a variety of medical conditions.
Miranda has been practicing archery since the age of five and has spent the past 14 years working towards representing the United States of America. Although she has since failed to come away with a medal during the London Games, Miranda is still an hugely aspirational figure – both for her sporting achievements, and her charitable gesture.
Leek’s Long Hair goes to Locks of Love
Leek’s decision to donate her hair to Locks of Love was influenced by the training she received at Downing Catholic College in West Des Moines. At the school, students were encouraged to excel in academics and sport, but also to contribute and volunteer to their local communities.
Commenting on her donation, Miranda Leek said, “I like to have long hair, but it gets in the way a lot when I’m competing, so I figured that if I want to go with a shorter cut, why not go a few more inches and help someone out?”
Leek previously donated a similar amount of her hair when she was in grade 6 at school, aged just 11 years old.
Anybody can make a donation to Locks of Love, or to find other ways in which you could help, visit the Locks of Love website.
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