Castleford grandad suffering from cancer lost for words after kind stranger pays for hair cut

Les Longyear, 70, went for his hair cutting at 'Hair N Beauty' on Smawthorne Lane on Saturday July 4.

Les was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2019 and has recently started radiotherapy.

A popular visitor to the hairdressers, Les was speaking to hairdresser Zoe Gaitley and one of her clients - Donna Brown - about his battle with cancer and treatment since.

After his haircut, Les approached Zoe to pay for his haircut as usual.

However, Les was stunned after being told his hair had already been paid forward by Donna after she heard his story.

Les' grandaughter Billie Glover appealed on social media to track down the client to thank her.

Billie posted: "My grandad just told me that on Saturday he went for his hair cutting at his usual place on smawthorne lane, the owner is called Zoe.

"The lady who was having her hair done before him very kindly paid for his hair cutting.

"We have no idea who this lady is, but we just want to thank this lady for being so nice!

"So if anyone knows who she is please say thank you from us!!"

A few hours later, hairdresser Zoe revealed that it was one of her clients who paid for the haircut.

She said: "It was my lovely client Donna Brown. I spotted your grandad going into the shop so shouted him to come have his hair done because I’d not been in touch with him to book him in.

"I was telling my client he’s been unwell and he’s such a lovely man and when he came in the salon he was telling us how his cancer had come back and he was having treatment.

"We were both really upset when he told us and when she left she insisted on paying for his hair for a treat for him.

"He’s such a lovely man he really deserves it."

Donna told the Yorkshire Evening Post that Les had 'touched her heart'.

She said: "Zoe had told me he’d not been too well and he also spoke about this while I was having my hair done and I just wanted to make him smile.

"I’ve been thinking about him ever since.

"With the current situation I just hope he gets all the help and treatment he needs.

"Zoe is an amazing part of the community.

"She helps so many of her clients personally and goes out of her way to make sure they’re okay.

"She’s an inspiration.

"Compared to what she does for people, my gesture was tiny.

"I was also really touched that his family reached out to thank me."

The kind act has been praised across social media.