RACHAEL COMER

Last updated16:53, August 22 2017

JOHN BISSET/STUFF

Danni Mitchell-Saunders, 4, has been included in a project celebrating redheads.

A Timaru girl's fiery locks have earned her a place in a national project.

Danni Mitchell-Saunders, 4, recently travelled to Auckland to be part of the Red Matters Project, a photographic project by Bianca Duimel, which aims to break the stigma attached to being a redhead and stop the bullying often associated with having red hair.

Duimel has already released one book from the project, with another,Little Red Matters, whichDanniwill appearin, due out at Christmas.

Her mother,NickiMitchell, said she had been following the project on social media for a while.

"My mum put a pictureup on the Red Matters Project Facebook page and it all followed on from there," Nicki said.

"Bianca contacted me and asked if we wanted to come up for Dannito be photographed."

Nicki said the overnight trip had been a great experience for her daughter.

Dannihad also enjoyed the opportunity.

"I had fun and I like my hair colour," Danni said.

She said all her friends were "blonies [blondies]" and she didn't know any other people with her hair colour.

Nicki said the project was important to her family as she knew redheads could often be bullied.

She also saw it as a chance for her daughter to have something to look back onwith pride.

She had been surprised when she gavebirth to a redhead.

"We were so surprised when this wee baby popped out and her hair was red as red could be."

Duimel said she enjoyed working on the project and seeing the positive outcomes it was achieving.

"For some people it's been life-changing and people are gaining confidence."

Timaru District councillor and "proud redhead" Steve Willssaid he was pleased to hear about the project.

"Redheads have always been the butt of a few jokes, particularly when you're younger."

He said his teenage daughter was also a redhead and people often commented on how they admired her hair colour.

-The Timaru Herald

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Red Matters: National project aims to prevent bullying against ... - Timaru Herald