FOR a young girl who took a pride in her thick, dark brown hair, 13-year-old Mary Hirst, a pupil at Alton School (formerly Alton Convent) has sacrificed “four pony tails” of it to give to The Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children with cancer.

Mary decided to help children who had lost their hair through illness after her much-loved godmother, Debbie Moon, who lived in London, died of cancer last year.

The caring schoolgirl, who lives in Alton with mum Bernadette, dad Richard and brother Michael, said: “I have been growing my hair for a long time. It was very thick and long and I decided to have it cut to allow for four ponytails measuring 30cm each which I have posted to The Little Princess Trust.”

Mum Bernadette said: “Debbie Moon, who was born in Malaysia but lived all her life in England, was my friend at school and she went on to become a teacher. She and Mary were very close, and I am proud of my daughter for what she has done.

“Mary had her hair cut in The Hair Salon in Alton and had hoped to raise £50 for the Trust, but at the moment it is up to £90.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/mary-hairdonation.