A GROUP of schoolgirls and their teacher all had a haircut to help make wigs for children suffering from cancer.

The pupils from Talbot Heath School in Bournemouth were joined by science teacher Hayley Luke for the charity chop. Three hair stylists from A’Courts Salon visited the school and cut at least seven inches (17cm) from each girl’s hair.

The hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust – a charity which provides wigs and hair pieces for children who suffer hair loss due to cancer treatment.

Upper 4 pupil Faith Bellamy organised the fundraising event. She said: “If I can make another child happy by doing something as simple as cutting my hair, then it seems like a good thing to do.”

She added: “My hair will always grow back. Getting used to losing your hair is so much more difficult than getting used to shorter hair.”

Many girls in Faith’s year group came forward to volunteer for the haircut, but only a limited number of girls were able to take part. Cydney Chapman, Felicity Taylor, Rosie Guyer, Boo Eaton and Martha Pawson donated their hair, as well as Upper 5 pupil Darina Osipenkova and Olivia Nelson, Zoe McInnes and Hebe Brown from Upper 3.

Olivia Thomas had her hair cut the previous week for the charity as she was out of school with sporting commitments during the event.

Mrs Luke and the girls have together raised over £1,000 for the Little Princess Trust. A similar charity event is being planned for next year.

Head teacher Angharad Holloway praised the girls at a school assembly on the theme of service to others. She said they were “an excellent example of putting others before themselves”, adding “it was a generous and compassionate act that we applaud and encourage.”

A spokesperson for the school added: “Thanks go to all of the girls, staff and parents who supported and participated in the event, and particular thanks go to Helen Etches, Serena Sugars and Toni Cann from A-Courts, who generously gave up their time, free of charge, and made the event such a success.”