Telford schoolgirl Martha goes for the chop to support children undergoing cancer treatment

A brave seven year old has had 16 inches of hair cut off to donate to The Little Princess Trust.

Telford schoolgirl Martha Heywood, aged 7, had her long hair cut in aid of Little Princess trust, at Pastels By Natalie, Wellington, Telford

Martha Heywood, age seven, from Wellington has made her family proud by going for the chop and donating her luscious locks to the charity that makes wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment.

The Telford schoolgirl was inspired by watching a TV programme with her family about children losing their hair to cancer.

Martha, who has one sister and three brothers, wanted to help people who had lost their hair and had 16 inches cut off at a salon in Wellington, Pastels by Natalie.

Her mother, Kellie Cheshire, said she was emotional watching Martha's hair being cut but that she and Damien Heywood, Martha's dad, were so proud of her daughter.

"We were watching a programme on TV about children going through leukaemia and watching it, Martha got quite upset by it all and the fact they lose their hair," Kellie said.

"She asked if there was anything she could do to help so we looked into it. I came across the Little Princess Trust and found that you can donate hair to make wigs. We were following the charity for a while and showed Martha the process and she said she would love to do it.

Telford schoolgirl Martha Heywood, aged seven, had her long hair cut in aid of Little Princess trust, at Pastels By Natalie, Wellington, Telford

"We are so proud of her – being a woman it's hard for me to imagine letting go of my hair, she's so brave. I think children are quite selfless. We have had a few family members with cancer and the word keeps cropping up in our family. So it's nice for her to do it, especially in a year with so much doom and gloom it's nice for somebody to give something back."

It costs £550 for a wig to be made at The Little Princess Trust and the family have been raising funds and are nearly at the target.

Kellie added: "She is only seven years old it's amazing of her. On the Little Princess Trust website they show you some of the children who have had wigs made and it's so lovely to think Martha's hair will be turned into a wig for somebody who needs it.

"The salon she is getting her haircut at, Pastels by Natalie, is newly opened and it's so lovely there."

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/kellie-cheshire to donate.