AN inspirational young girl had her first haircut in years to raise money for charity.

Calleigh Greenley, from Great Yeldham, has been growing her hair since she last had a trim at the age of five.

Now aged ten, the decision was made to finally head to the hairdressers to cut and donate her hair to charity.

And not only has Calleigh done that - she has also raised hundreds of pounds in the process.

Mum Anna said: “She was always adamant on never having a haircut - there was plenty of stubbornness.

“She just liked having it long and so kept growing it.

“But we did say one day we would get the hair cut and donate it to charity.

“Over the summer we decided it was finally time. It got really long and was down to her calves when it was dry.”

Calleigh went to Beautiful You hairdressers in Bures, who cut more than 28 inches off her hair.

Halstead Gazette: ALL GONE: Calleigh pictured after her haircut in BuresALL GONE: Calleigh pictured after her haircut in Bures (Image: Public)

The salon also added a slight layer to "remove some weight”.

Calleigh has raised £565 to date, which will be going to the Kids Cancer Charity, which supports children and their families affected by cancer, from diagnosis through to treatment and beyond.

Her hair will be being donated to the Little Princess Trust, which provides free real hair wigs to children and young people up to 24 years who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

Anna said: “She loved her long hair, but loves it now too.

“She is able to play with and sort her own hair out now and after the cut has the biggest ponytail.

“We only aimed to raise £150 but to raise more than £500 is amazing - she was over the moon.

“I am very proud, and it is going to a great cause, which was worth all the aggravation of brushing it every day.

“It was really nice to see she was thinking about others.”

To donate, visit https://bit.ly/3Z9JAIx.