FOR most little girls losing their hair would be their worst nightmare.

But rather than let her diagnosis get her down, brave Molly Milligan is battling back - by helping other children affected by hair loss.

With the help of her mum Claire Heaton, 11-year-old Molly has launched an awareness campaign Molly's Roots and has attracted celebrity attention from Towie stars and cage fighter Alex Reid with the hashtag #dontcarenohair.

And with the support of their community, the mum and daughter duo organised a fundraising day at Townsend Community Centre which raised more than £2000.

It has meant they have been able to send five-year-old Harmony Skinner, who is battling a brain tumour on a surprise day out, buy a giant dinosaur for four-year-old Jacob Horgan, who was diagnosed with a rare Wilms Tumour last year, buy a wig for a young mum with alopecia, give 10-year-old Felix Brown, who has leukaemia, a meal out voucher as well as provide a box of toys to the children's ward at Poole Hospital.

Molly, said: “I do worry because I don’t want to lose all my hair and I don’t want people to stare at me.

“I like helping others because I didn’t have anyone my age to talk to when I felt upset so now I can help them feel better.

“I feel special sometimes about that but I’m more happy that I can do this with my mum.”

Molly was diagnosed with alopecia three years ago when she found a bald area the size of a 50 pence piece.

By the time her dermatologist appointment came through several months later, the patch had grown in size and numerous smaller ones had started to appear.

She is now beginning to lose her eyelashes and eyebrows and has been told she may lose all her hair.

Mum-of-seven Claire, 39, said: "Molly's comes and goes. She loses her eye lashes and eyebrows and also large patches at the back. Her front is slowly receding but alopecia is unpredictable and can come and go. I think when a child is told they will lose their hair, it is upsetting as for little girls, hair is a big part of their identity. "What makes it worse again through personal experience is stares from others and the fear of going out and being looked at.

"Alopecia will not ruin Molly's life. It will be something that lives with her and not the other way around.

"Helping others has helped her come to terms with her diagnosis and turn something distressing into a positive and I'm so proud of her."

Claire and Molly, who goes to Avonbourne Academy, are also fundraising for The Little Princess Trust which has supported Molly.

For more information, search Molly's Roots on Facebook or go to @molly_roots on Twitter.