FOR many young girls their hair is a precious thing.

But one youngster has decided to have her long locks cut off in aid of charity.

Maddison Simper, 12, had her hair cut off for the Little Princess Trust.

The charity takes real hair donated by people like Maddison and turns it free of charge into wigs for boys and girls who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Maddison, from Hedge End, wanted to donate her hair to a charity that helps cancer sufferers as her grandmother was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer called myeloma, and wanted to do her bit to help children who have lost their own hair.

Maddison’s mum, Emma Shawyer, said: “Her nan has cancer of the bones and they gave her three months to live 10-years-ago so all the family have done lots of charity work.

“She wanted to do her bit and always had lovely long locks and had seen on television children who have cancer and lose their hair.”

The mother-of-four added: “She said that she wanted to put a smile on another girl’s face.”

Speaking before she had her hair cut off, Maddison said: “I am excited and a little bit nervous.”

Emma, 35, added: “It was all a bit overwhelming but now she is over the moon that it is done.”

Maddison is also raising money for Myeloma UK, a charity which helps fund research into treating the disease and also provides support for those who have been diagnosed with it and their families.

So far she has raised £480 and is close to reaching her target of £600.