Seven-year-old cuts off her Rapunzel hair to help children battling cancer

Leah's hair cut for the Little Princess Trust. Photo: Nicola Black (Image: Nicola Black)

Leah Morton from Lowestoft, known as Rapunzel to her family because of her long hair, decided to donate her locks after seeing a family friend lose her hair while battling cancer.

And as well as donating her hair to the Little Princess Trust, Leah decided to also raise money to pay for further wigs to be made.

Her mum Nicola said: 'We had a family friend who was in her 20s who was diagnosed with cancer and Leah saw pictures of her with no hair and asked me if she could give her some of her hair.

'She has recovered no and her hair has grown back, so Leah asked if she could have her hair cut for other people with cancer.

'Her hair has always been her comfort blanket and she's only ever had it trimmed and never had more than an inch cut off at a time.

'We are so proud of her.'

The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to boys and girls across the UK and Ireland that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment and other illnesses.

Leah, who attends Roman Hill Primary School, has been busy collecting sponsorship for the cause, and has so far raised £380 - with donations still coming in.

Funds have come from family and friends on a JustGiving page, as well as colleagues of grandad Paul Nash who works in the refuge department at Waveney Norse.

Leah had her hair cut off at Brown N Crew hairdressers in Lowestoft on Saturday, and according to her mum is pleased with her new look.

'She was nervous before but when she got to the hairdressers she was really excited.

'She really loves her new style, and has already asked me if she can go as Matilda on the next World Book Day!

'It was really emotional watching her have it done, but it really suits her.'

Anyone who would like to sponsor Leah can visit her fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Leahslittleprincesstrusthaircut