HASLEMERE hair salon Eden had a momentous “big chop for charity” date with Godalming College student Caitlin Allsop.

Caitlin’s crowning glory measured an impressive 38 inches – but she wanted to donate most of it to Little Princess Trust.

The charity relies on donated hair to provide specialist wigs for children who have lost their own hair due to cancer treatment or a serious illness. It has just extended its mission to include, when funds allow, the provision of financial assistance for research into the causes of childhood cancers and minimising the effects of chemotherapy for kids.

Caitlin said:“For the past few years, I have been growing out my hair, and I thought I’d take this opportunity to donate it so it can made into a wig by the Little Princess Trust, who can then gift it to a child suffering from cancer or another serious condition such as alopecia.

“As well as donating my hair, those wishing to sponsor me can donate their money to the charity as well. It can cost between £300 and £550 for the charity to purchase a wig for a child if no hair donations are available.

“My mum is a regular customer at Eden and they did my hair for my prom last year. They are also very keen to support charities, so they were the obvious choice.

She thanked Holly and everyone at Eden for helping her to donate 19 inches of her hair to the trust and making her ‘feel confident’ with her new short hair. She also thanked everyone who had donated to her JustGiving page.

Caitlin added: “I never could have imagined we’d be able to raise so much, so thank you all for your generosity.”

Her precious contribution has been posted to Little Princess Trust but she would welcome further donations to help swell the total.

A Little Princess Trust spokesman said: “It’s such a brave decision to cut off a lot of hair. We are hugely grateful, as we can use Caitlin’s donated locks to make real hair wigs for children who have lost their own hair. Receiving a wig has a profoundly positive effect on those we assist. Thank you, Caitlin, and thank you to all of your supporters.”