A BRAVE pupil from St Vincent’s Primary in Penketh has raised hundreds of pounds for charity in memory of a much-loved family friend.

Abi Smith had her long hair chopped short in front of all the school pupils at assembly to donate to the Little Princess Trust, to help young cancer patients who have lost their hair.

She was inspired to support the charity after the death of her mum’s best friend, Becci Dadswell who died in 2015 just four weeks after giving birth to her daughter Bella.

“I’m so proud of her,” said mum Laura Smith, who worked alongside Becci as a police officer.

“She called her Auntie Becci and they were very close. She was nine when Becci died and it was difficult for her to come to terms with.

“When Abi saw other fundraising events for Becci she said ‘that’s amazing, I want to do something.’

“I explained chemotherapy to her and that wigs are made for little girls suffering from cancer. She rushed upstairs and began researching it to find out everything she needed to do to donate her hair.

“I think she was nervous at the front of the assembly but she was so focused on helping sick children feel better about themselves so she just got on with it.

“She’s not one for being in the spotlight so I was very surprised and proud. I can’t thank Catherine Cain, who cut her hair, enough. She really made her feel special.”

The 11-year-old, who hopes to do more charity work in the future, raised more than £745.