A YOUNG girl has chopped off her hair and donated it to a charity that provides wigs for children going through cancer treatments.

Olive Nolan, from Hanover, Brighton, has cut 21 inches of her hair off and donated it to the Little Princess Trust.

The 11-year-old wanted to change up her hair style but could not decide what she wanted to do.

Her mother, Nova, then told her about the Princess Trust and the work they do for children and young people going through treatments for cancer and other conditions.

The Argus: Olive Nolan, Brighton, cut off 21 inches of her hair to donate to the Princess Trust.

Nova said: "She'd been fancying a change for some time, her hair was so long and it was definitely part of her identity. But, she just wanted a change.

"As soon as I told her about the charity she was sold, she was so happy that she might be able to help another little girl or boy - and she got to get her new hair style at the same time."

Olive had her locks chopped at Headmasters in Brighton, a salon that has a close link with the trust.

"She's really happy with the new look and it's even better that it was for a good cause," said Nova.

The Little Princess Trust has been operating since 2006, when it was founded by the parents of Hannah Tarplee.

Hannah had lost her hair through treatment for a Wilms tumour, her parents struggled to find a suitable wig for her but when they found one it had a positive impact.

Hannah died in 2005 but her parents paid tribute to her by setting up the charity, which has since provided thousands of real hair wigs to sick children and young people, aged up to 24 years across the UK and Ireland.

The trust provides free, real-hair wigs to its recipients and also funds research into childhood cancers.

It costs from £550 to provide, fit and style the bespoke wigs and with 100 wigs supplied every month it also asks for financial donations as well.

Anyone looking to donate can email info@littleprincesses.org.uk, anyone who would like to request a wig can email wigs@littleprincesses.org.uk.

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