A SCHOOLGIRL who was determined her best friend should not suffer hair loss alone has donated her own locks to a cancer charity.

Eleven-year-old Rebecca Stuart, from Sedgefield in County Durham, was devastated when her best friend Amy Stockill was diagnosed with a brain tumour last June.

And when Amy, 11, had her head shaved at the beginning of her radiotherapy treatment, Rebecca was adamant that she would also get rid of her golden tresses.

Rebecca spoke to her mother Nicola Stuart, who is a friend of Amy’s parents, Frank and Lisa Stockill, and the family decided to extend this act of friendship into a fundraising appeal.

After carrying out research, they decided to donate Rebecca’s hair to the Little Princess Trust – a charity that provides wigs to youngsters who lose their hair though cancer treatment.

Sponsorship money is also being sought and the money will be divided between the charity and ward 4, the children’s oncology ward at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.

At Chic hairdressers in Sedgefield yesterday (Monday, January 13), Rebecca’s family, Mr Stockill and Amy gathered to watch the youngster undergo her transformation.

Mrs Stuart said: “The reason we are doing this now is that we had to wait for Becky’s hair to grow to seven inches long and Amy hasn’t been well enough to come.

“I am so proud of her and it is lovely to have Amy here too.”

Mr Stockill added: “It is absolutely fantastic. I cannot stress enough how much this means to our family. There are not many girls that would get all their hair cut off.”

Up until two years ago, Amy was a happy and healthy girl, who loved to run, dance and play with Rebecca and her other friends at Sedgefield Hardwick Primary School.

However, she began to suffer from crippling dizziness and ill health, which baffled doctors for months before she was eventually diagnosed with a medulloblistoma brain tumour.

Over the last six months, Amy has undergone surgery to have the tumour removed, radio therapy and is part way through an intensive course of chemotherapy.

Rebecca, who has supported her friend throughout this difficult time, said: “Most of our friends have long hair and when Amy lost her hair I didn’t want her to feel like the odd one out.”

To sponsor Rebecca visit justgiving.com/rebeccastuarthaircut