A NINE-year-old girl has donated 18 inches of her hair to help children with cancer.

Loretta Muncaster, a year 4 student from Chetwynde School, chopped her hair off and will be donating her braid to the Little Princess Trust.

The Little Princess Trust has been making real hair wigs for children and young people, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or another condition since 2005.

Loretta went to Mia Bella on Scott Street in Barrow to have her hair cut.

Loretta had her hair cut by Ann Sedgwick and has donated just over 18 inches to be made into a wig for children with cancer.

Loretta got the idea to donate her hair when another student at her school donated theirs.

When she expressed wanting to donate her hair too, Loretta’s mum explained about the Little Princess Trust, how children going through cancer treatment lose their hair and how it can often cost £550 just to make one wig.

The charity has high standards for hair donations to make sure the wigs are good quality - all hair donations must be in excellent condition and at least 12" (30cm) long. The hair also has to be clean and dry.

Although it doesn’t matter if your hair is straight, wavy or curly, it must be in great condition with no split ends and of a natural colour.

The charity’s greatest need is for hair donations that are 16" (41cm) or longer.

After listening to her mum, Loretta decided to carry on growing her hair so she could donate and help children.

Loretta’s mum Sarah-Jayne Muncaster said: “She loves her shorter hair. She looks more grown up now too. She said it felt weird having it cut and her head didn’t feel as heavy. I am very proud of her for raising money for the charity and growing her hair for the donation. For a child at such a young age to feel that strongly for wanting to help others fills me with pride.”

The Little Princess Trust has now nearly provided 15,000 wigs to children and young people with hair loss and have also invested £21 million in ground-breaking childhood cancer research.