A YOUNG fundraiser from Torfaen braved a big chop over the weekend to raise hundreds of pounds for a charity providing wigs for young cancer patients.

On Saturday, Shanie Aveyard, aged 11, donated 14 inches of hair to the Little Princess Trust after getting her hair cut at Claire’s Hair Salon in Pontypool.

The St Albans Roman Catholic High School pupil, from Hafod Court Road, Cwmbran, had been growing her hair for six months in preparation.

She also helped raise £300 for the charity through sponsorship and family support.

Her mum Sherrie Burnell, aged 42, said her daughter became interested in fundraising after she was “moved” by something she read online.

“I can’t describe how proud I am, it was quite emotional,” she said.

“It was a really good thing for Shanie to do and she’s going to grow it back for another four years and donate again when she is 15.

“She had a lot of support from her friends, teachers and family and it was really wonderful to see.”

The Little Princess Trust recently announced it had been awarded over half a million pounds to fund research into childhood cancers thanks to a partnership with the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group.

For more information, or to donate, visit: http://www.littleprincesses.org.uk or call 01432 352359.