A 12-year-old girl has chopped off her flowing locks to raise money for St Rocco’s following the death of a family friend to cancer earlier this year.

Mollie Rudge, from Woolston, has collected more than £1,150 for the charity who provided much-needed support and care to Allison Lyons as she battled the devastating disease.

The King Leadership Academy student has been keen to get involved with charity work for a while but the death of Allison gave her the strength and determination she needed to kick into action.

Mollie’s mum Keri said: “I am so proud of her for doing it. It is such a big thing for someone her age to do.”

The 12-year-old took the plunge on Saturday, December 14, and is relieved to have finally chopped off her hair for a worthy cause.

The year eight pupil has also donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, who provide real-hair wigs to boys and girls across the UK and Ireland that have sadly lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Keri added: “This was a big deal for her and she was a little worried the night before but she is so happy she has done it. We are hoping that the number of sponsorships is going to continue to rise.”

The rugby fan, whose hair used to reach just above her hips, now has a much shorter hair style to contend with.

“She somehow manages to spend more time in the mirror,” laughed Keri. “I think a shorter hair cut takes a lot more time and effort to get it right.”

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