A WEYMOUTH kitchen assistant proved she's a cut above the rest by donating 14 inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust.

Rachael Craig, 38, works at Highclere House on Cross Road in Weymouth and said she was inspired to fundraise after hearing more from a friend about the charity.

The Little Princess Trust provides free real-hair wigs to children across the UK that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Rachael said: “At Highclere House I work with people who have severe illnesses and know how they can affect people and their families.

“I’m also a blood donor, organ donor and bone marrow donor so one day I asked myself what else I could give to help people.

“People say I've been brave to have done this, but these children who face cancer are really the brave ones. All I did was have my hair cut.”

Not only was Rachael sponsored to have her hair cut to be made into a child's wig for the charity, but she also encouraged others in Weymouth and Portland to do the same at a special event on Monday, June 29.

Chloe Lane, the daughter of a care worker at Highclere House, also had her hair cut for the trust.

Rachael has been working at Highclere House for more than a year and before the chop had waist length strawberry blonde hair.

She added: “I had 14 inches cut off my hair and now have a bob hairstyle; I’ve had lots of compliments on it already so I’m really pleased.

“I have raised more than £400 from my sponsored hair cut and I’m over the moon as I had a fundraising target of £200.

“A massive thank you must go to all my family and friends and everyone who has supported me or donated money.”

The Little Princess Trust also assists children with other conditions which also result in hair loss - the most common being alopecia.

Monica Glass, trust charity manager, said: “We are so grateful to Rachael for this amazing support.

“She has given her hair so that a child who has lost their own hair can be helped, and by encouraging others to do the same, she is being a true inspiration.”

Anyone still wishing to donate to Rachael's challenge are asked to donate directly to the Little Princess Trust by calling 0845 094 2169 or visiting littleprincesses.org.uk.

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