A YOUNG girl is having a big chop to donate 17 inches of her hair to a children’s cancer charity—and she’s already raised over £500.

Nine-year-old Eloise Powl, from Maldon, has always had long hair.

When she wanted to cut it all off, Mum Abby was reluctant to see her long locks go unless she had a nice idea for what she wanted to do with them.

After an exciting discussion, Eloise decided to donate 17 inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust.

Lovely - Eloise is hoping to donate enough hair and funds to make one wig for a little girl in need Lovely - Eloise is hoping to donate enough hair and funds to make one wig for a little girl in need (Image: Abby Powl) Abby Powl, 34, an ICU nurse, said: “Because she has such long hair, I felt if she was to cut it all off it would be a nice idea to give it to charity.

“So, we discussed it, and she agreed.

“We set an initial fundraising target of £200 but she reached it within the first 24 hours.

“So, we upped it to £700, because that’s how much it takes to make one wig.

“Eloise’s idea is she can donate enough money and hair to make a wig for a little girl who needs it.”

The fundraiser was set up about a week ago, and in a short time has already reached £544.

The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or to other conditions such as Alopecia.

The charity is also one of the largest funders of childhood cancer research in the UK, and it relies solely on the generosity of its supporters.

Long - Eloise will cut off most of her hair for charity next weekLong - Eloise will cut off most of her hair for charity next week (Image: Abby Powl) Abby continued: “Eloise is very excited, and she’s so excited to get her hair cut.

“She checks her Just Giving page every day to see how much she’s raised.

“She’s really proud of herself to see it go up so high, so quickly.

“I’m so proud of her," she added. 

"Her Nanny and Grandad, Tammy and Alen, Nanny Karen and her Auntie Sarah are all really proud and say it’s amazing that she’s managed to raise so much.

“Eloise has had support from her school friends and teachers as well.

“I just want to thank everyone for being so generous.”

Eloise will have her haircut on Tuesday, November 19.

To donate, visit Abigail Powl is fundraising for Little Princess Trust or search Abigail Powl on www.justgiving.com.