Sandwell schoolgirls get the chop for cancer charity

Sisters Indi, and Maddi Lane, aged 14 and 10 respectively had a combined total of 24inches of hair cut off to donate to the Little Princess Trust, which will make it into wigs for young cancer sufferers.

The were inspired to donate their hair after a family friend, six-year-old Kaci Coleman, was diagnosed with a Wilms' tumour, a form of kidney cancer.

The girls' hair was plaited before being snipped off just below the shoulder.

Their mother, Kim, 39 said: "I didn't want them to do it at first. They have always had really long hair so I could not picture them with it any shorter.

"When they first came to me and said what they wanted to do I was so shocked.

"They are such kindhearted girls and I really am proud of them for what they have done."

Indi who attends Wodensborough Ormiston Academy, went first, with Maddi - who attends Pennyhill Primary with Kaci - following.

Kim added: "Maddi kept saying that she did not want to go through with it at first, having that amount of a hair cut off in one go is a big change.

"I think Indi going first did help a bit though. "They really love their new hair and I think they are intending to keep it that length for a while."

Founded in 2006 the Little Princess Trust and works with wig suppliers throughout the UK and Ireland to who create real hair wigs.

Kim added: "Kaci was born with Beckwith-Wiedemann Sydrome and was diagnosed with Wilms' tumour last year.

"She is just finishing off her chemotherapy but luckily she has not lost any of her beautiful hair.

"It was not so much as a wakeup call for them, but I think it that just realised how lucky they are.

"Kaci's parents have been so grateful for all the girls have done."

Through sponsorship money the girls have raised £350 so far, the price it costs for the Princess Trust to make wig.