A BRAVE young girl had her first haircut in four years in effort to raise funds for a Halstead teacher with inoperable cancer.

Denae Cronin, eight, a pupil at St Peter's Primary School, in Sible Hedingham, had her hair cut to raise money for Halstead Ramsey Academy teacher Melissa Hardy.

Melissa, 38, started a GoFundMe Page after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. All money raised will help Melissa afford a private treatment which should help prolong her life.

Denae is in the same class as Melissa’s daughter, Grace, and after hearing how poorly she is, she asked mum Sandra if she could raise some money for her.

Halstead Gazette: Thankful - Melissa Hardy cutting Denae Cronin's hairThankful - Melissa Hardy cutting Denae Cronin's hair (Image: Public)

Halstead Gazette: Long hair - a close-up on the haircutLong hair - a close-up on the haircut (Image: Sandra Cronin)

Denae decided to cut off her hair to raise funds for Melissa and donate her long locks to the Little Princess Trust.

The charity provides real hair wigs for free to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer.

Sandra contacted Melissa and asked if it would be okay to fundraise for her appeal.

Last Thursday, Denae faced the scissors after growing her tresses for the past four years.

Halstead Gazette: Helping hand - Schoolmate and Melissa's daughter, Grace Hardy, cutting Denae's hairHelping hand - Schoolmate and Melissa's daughter, Grace Hardy, cutting Denae's hair (Image: Sandra Cronin)

Halstead Gazette: Proud - Left to right: Grace Hardy, Melissa Hardy, Denae Cronin, and Sandra CroninProud - Left to right: Grace Hardy, Melissa Hardy, Denae Cronin, and Sandra Cronin (Image: Public)

Sandra said: “It was a great. Denae was very excited about having her hair cut.

 “Myself and her dad are very proud of  her and she was supported by many of her school friends on the afternoon.

“Mel made the very first cut, followed by her daughter Grace.

“I finished off the cut as I am a qualified hairdresser of 27 years and there was a humongous cheer from everyone who watched.

Halstead Gazette: Big difference - Denae Cronin before and after the haircutBig difference - Denae Cronin before and after the haircut (Image: Sandra Cronin)

Halstead Gazette: Thankful - Melissa Hardy and her daughter Grace Hardy during a trip to the hospitalThankful - Melissa Hardy and her daughter Grace Hardy during a trip to the hospital (Image: Melissa Hardy)

“We hope that the amount raised is a good amount and we encourage anyone else who wishes to donate to Mel on her GoFundMe Page to please do so.”

Melissa said: “I am blown away. It is such a lovely thing to do.

"I cried when the mum messaged me and asked me if I would be happy for Denae to be sponsored to do it.

“It is such a lovely thing to do, I’m so grateful.”

The total amount raised from the haircut is still to be confirmed.

To donate, go to gofundme.com/f/beat-bowel-cancer.