A BIG-hearted schoolgirl from Wirral said farewell to her long locks in aid of a charity that provides wigs to children suffering hair loss.

Five-year-old Amelia Keane, from Eastham, decided to cut her hair after seeing a young cancer sufferer on the television.

Since then, the Christ The King Catholic Primary School pupil has been busy preparing for the chop – which took place at Bromborough’s House of Hair and Beauty on December 20 – raising more than 10 times what she originally set out to for the Little Princess Trust.

“She’s got really long, thick hair and is always saying that she wants it cut,” explained proud mum Claire before the chop.

“We were watching the news and there was a girl with no hair who was going through chemotherapy and Amelia asked why she didn’t have any – I explained to her that sometimes children get poorly and lose their hair and she said, ‘She can have some of mine – I’ve got lots’ and I said ‘I think you can actually do that’.

“When we Googled it, we found the Little Princess Trust and it seems to have just gone from there – Amelia was quite excited about it.

“Although she’s only five she’s always been quite an empathetic child – she seems to really feel sorry for people who have things going on.”

With an original target of £100, Claire is delighted with the response to her daughter’s campaign, having raised £1,180 via Just Giving, as well as cash donations.

Claire said: “We put a target of £100 at first because we thought with it being Christmas, nobody has got any money but we were overwhelmed by people’s donations.

“We upped it to £350 because that’s how much it costs to make one wig – I think we’ve probably got enough for two or three now – it’s amazing.

“The teachers at school raised about £70 or £80 and all of Amelia’s friend’s mums have donated too.”

Amelia has been left with a short bob since saying goodbye to seven inches of hair.

Claire added: “People have been asking if she would really go through with it but she has remained committed – we are all just really proud of her.”

If you would like to donate, visit justgiving.com/Amelia-Keane