A SCHOOLGIRL who was inspired by her best friend’s battle against a brain tumour has raised hundreds of pounds for new toys at her hospital ward.

Last month, Rebecca Stuart, of Sedgefield, County Durham, donated her hair to the cancer charity, the Little Princess Trust, to ensure her friend, Amy Stockill, did not have to suffer hair loss alone.

Rebecca also raised a total of £1,568, of which £800 has been used to buy toys for the children’s oncology ward at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The 11-year-old had planned to raise funds for the specialist equipment Amy needs at home, but Amy said she would prefer the money to benefit all of her friends on the ward.

Rebecca’s mother Nicola Stuart said: “Everyone has been so generous. We even got discounts at Toys R Us and Grainger Games.

"Rebecca is really pleased because when she went to the hospital she got to see where the toys were going and meet the other children.”

Amy, 11, was diagnosed with a brain tumour last June and has since undergone surgery to have the tumour removed, radiotherapy and intensive chemotherapy.

Her mother, Lisa Stockill, said: “Amy and Rebecca really enjoyed going out and choosing the toys. The people of Sedgefield have been so generous.”

Rebecca also donated £490 to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides wigs to youngsters who lose their hair though cancer treatment.

The remaining £278 was given to the Bradley Lowery Fight Fund, which aims to raise £500,000 for the toddler, from Blackhall, in east Durham, to receive relapse treatment for the rare childhood cancer Neuroblastoma in the United States.