A BRAVE 12-year-old has donated her blonde ponytail to make a wig for a child fighting cancer and used her own Christmas money to support the fundraising initiative.
Amelia Hambleton had her long plait cut in morning assembly at Haslingden High School, watched by her twin sister Alyssia Hambleton, her mum Julie and all her fellow Year 8 students.
After the haircut Amelia said: “It feels really weird, but I like it. I could hear the scissors cutting through my hair and I was thinking, ‘I have actually gone and done it.’
“I saw a video for The Little Princess Charity showing someone who had cancer and had to wear a synthetic wig. It was very uncomfortable and I asked my mum if I could donate my hair to make a better quality wig.”
Her mum Julie admitted she did her best to try to dissuade Amelia, but her daughter was set on the idea and after she received money at Christmas she decided to use it for the fundraiser and there was no stopping her.
So far, Amelia has raised more than £310 from family, friends and fellow students after a collection was held in school. People can also donate online on JustGiving under little-princess.
Natalie Ward, owner of Ward and Co Hairdressers in Haslingden, cut Amelia’s hair after watching her grow it long for 11 years.
Some of the students were moved to tears as Natalie began cutting through the plait.
Twin Alyssia Hambleton admitted she could never have her hair cut as short as her sister because she loved her long hair too much.
“She still looks like my sister, but at the moment it feels strange,” she said. “I know I will get used to it but it was odd seeing her with short hair for the first time.”
Her efforts have also inspired Year 8 form tutor Victoria Smithson, an English teacher at Haslingden High School, to have her long, red hair cut short to also be donated to the charity.
She said: “My mother-in-law was a Macmillan nurse and after she retired she was diagnosed with stomach cancer and sadly died. My sister-in-law Sonia Bewley wanted to raise £100 for charity for every year of her life.
“I am going to be donating my hair to the Little Princess Trust and also raising sponsorship for Macmillan.”