A YOUNG GIRL about to start secondary school has cut off her hair to help children suffering from cancer.

Poppy Pentecost, 11, from Peacehaven, has cut off her long locks, the product of three years of no haircuts, to help raise money for charity the Little Princess Trust.

She will also donate the hair from the cut to the charity, which makes wigs for children and young people who have lost their hair as a result of cancer treatments and other illnesses.

Poppy’s mum Lucie said: “It was about three years ago she decided to do it, I think it was because of something she saw on TV and it just sparked it off for her.

“She was really inspired, and once she gets an idea in her head she always goes through with it.

“None of it comes from me, it’s entirely her own idea. She told me one day that she was going to do it, and this year she told me she was ready to cut it.

“Each year went by and she kept on saying it’s not long enough, then after three years the day came when she was finally ready”

Poppy, who will begin at Peacehaven Community School after completing her time at Meridian Community Primary School, wrote on her justgiving page: “I am donating my hair and raising money for Little Princess Trust because I am lucky to have my hair and I wanted to share it.”

Her mum Lucie said of her daughter’s decision: “I’m the proudest mum on the planet.

“What she is doing is amazing.

“It’s a brave thing to do especially before she starts a new school.”

The Little Princess Trust was launched in 2006 by the parents of Hannah Tarplee, Wendy and Simon, who died after being diagnosed with a Wilms tumour.

During their daughter’s illness they found it very difficult to find a suitable wig for her, and so decided to help other parents who find themselves in the same position.

They now give away free real hair wigs to children that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other illnesses.

The charity has also recently extended its mission to include the provision of financial assistance for research into the causes of childhood cancers and into minimising the effects of chemotherapy in children.