Facing her first proper hair cut in more than three years Emily Marshall had the best of inspirations as she waited for the chop.
Witnessed by her mum and sister, the 12 year old bravely succumbed to the scissors – losing a foot of hair in seconds.
'It was such a shock,' said her mother Alison Marshall. 'The biggest surprise was that it was all over so quickly.'
The long-awaited crop took place at Hair Design in Gorleston, near the family's Suffield Road home, and already the 12-inch tress is on its way to China to be made into a wig for a child with cancer.
Emily came across the Little Princess Trust while searching online for ways someone her age could help people with cancer. She wanted to do something in memory of her grandfather, who died from the disease.
It meant growing her hair for more than three years to reach the charity's required length and ensure she had enough to harvest.
Mrs Marshall, 43, said Emily was nervous and totally unprepared for the transformation. But in the end she loved her new look, which was far easier to manage.
'It was quite a momentous day and it did seem really strange at first. But it has given her a real sense of achievement.'
Emily, a pupil at Cliff Park High School, has raised £200 towards the £350 to cover the cost of having the wig made and is still gathering pledges.
To donate towards her total contact Mrs Marshall on 07591 606637.
Do you have a charity fund-raising event coming up? Let us know, email newsdesk@archant.co.uk
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