John of Gaunt School pupil Seraphina Studd took it upon herself to research into donating her hair to charity after speaking to someone about it and being encouraged by her dad Peter.

The 12-year-old Year 8 student said: “I have been thinking about it for a while, my dad suggested it to me and said it would be quite a nice thing to do. We were unsure about it at first because we heard about companies who sold your hair for profit but then we found the Little Princess Trust. We found them genuine and it seemed like the perfect thing to do.

” I’m very attached to my hair as it is part of my personality and I’m really going to miss it but I think I need to do something with it and it’s great that I can do something to help other people.”

The Little Princess Trust is a charity for children suffering from hair loss through cancer and other illnesses and provides them with wigs. Seraphina has decided to raise money for the trust as well as donating her hair, which is 36 inches long from the crown to the tip.

Her family and friends have helped her to collect more than £100 and John of Gaunt teachers, including head Andy Packer, have pledged their support.

Her parents are sad to see her cutting her hair as she has never had a hair cut – apart from a trim – since she was born.

However they are proud of her for deciding to donate her hair to charity.

Her mum Kerry Studd, 46, said: “She hadn’t wanted a haircut before deciding to do this as it has always been her crowning glory.

“However she thought it might be nice to help others. We are so proud of her. Her eldest sister Charlie cut her hair as she used to work for Toni and Guy.”

Seraphina, who is the youngest of four daughters, plans to grow her hair as long as possible again after she has had it cut. To sponsor Seraphina log on to www.

justgiving.com/seraphina-studd.