Brave schoolgirl is a cut above as she helps Little Princess Trust

Kind-hearted Sophie Hegarty, nine, has also set up a fundraising page which has raised more than £430 for the Little Princess Trust, who work with children who have lost their own hair during treatment for the disease.

Mum Pauline says she couldn’t be prouder of the Skelmorlie youngster - who took on the challenge after her mum joked with her about being top of the chops.

She explained: “Sophie was considering getting a different hairstyle and I suggested she should chop it all off and send it to the Little Princess Trust.

“I explained to her what the charity does and she actually said she wanted to do it, even though I was only kidding with her.

“She said she wanted to let somebody else have her hair and help to give them their confidence back during a tough time.

“I contacted a friend who is a hairdresser and she said she would do the cut for nothing, which was really kind.”

Pauline says the support for Sophie’s cause has been fantastic, with strangers even donating from as far away as the USA.

She said: “Sophie said she wanted to try and raise some money as well, and set herself an original target of £100.

“At the minute we are well over £400, so it is going really well, better than we expected.

“The support from everyone has been fantastic, a lot of our friends and family have donated, as well as others we don't even know.

“My mum also put a post on Facebook and people from America reached out to donate. They messaged saying how wonderful it was for such a young girl to do something so kind.”

Pauline says her daughter is excited about the children that her hair will help give some confidence back to.

She said: “She is excited at the thought of someone else benefitting from what she has done..

“It's a good cause and I would encourage everyone to get behind this great charity.”

You can still donate to Sophie’s cause at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sophie-hegarty