A SEVEN-year-old girl has had her long hair cut off to raise funds for a charity which supports young people suffering from cancer.

Bella Suggitt, who lives in Pickering, decided she wanted to do something to raise money for The Little Princess Trust after hearing about the charity.

Her mum, Joanna, said: “Bella decided a year ago that she wanted to donate her hair after seeing an advert for the charity.

“She would only have her hair trimmed once the whole time she was growing it.”

Joanna said that after a year of growing her hair Bella had decided to have it cut last month at Mister Paul’s hairdressers in Pickering.

“We decided to have it cut after December 15 as she had a ballet exam and needed her hair in a

bun.

“Bella was very nervous waiting for that first snip, but very determined to go ahead.”

The Little Princess Trust was founded in memory of five-year-old Hannah Tarplee, who died in

2005.

The charity provides free, real-hair wigs for young cancer sufferers, or for children and young people experiencing the devastating effects of hair loss. It also funds research into childhood cancers.

Established in 2006, the trust has since supplied more than 8,000 wigs to children and young people.

Bella, who is in Year 3 at Pickering Community Junior School, has so far raised £376.

She has also received a certificate from The Little Princess Trust thanking her for her fundraising.

Joanna said they would like to thank everyone who had made a donation.

“There is still a donation box at Mister Paul’s hairdressers, or people can donate directly to the charity,” she said.

Joanna said everyone was very proud of Bella and her achievement.

“She absolutely loves her new hairstyle but did ask how long it would take to grow back,” she said.

“I couldn’t be prouder of her.”