Taya raises a few bob

HAIR stylist Lauren Cornwall gets to work

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A TEN-YEAR-OLD girl has raised more than £600 after having 14 inches of hair chopped off for charity.

Taya Royle's blonde hair was down to her knees but she had her long locks cut to shoulder length in a brave effort to raise funds for MS Society.

Her hair will also be donated to the Little Princess cancer charity, who provide real-hair wigs to children who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Family and friends accompanied Taya to Techniques Hair and Beauty studio in High Street, Lees last Friday at 3pm.

The youngster, who grew her hair out for ten years, said: "My hair was so long I could sit on it.

"I wanted to get my hair cut and thought giving it to the trust to make a wig for a little girl like me to have some hair while they are poorly was a good idea as it might make them feel a little bit better.

"I have decided not only to donate the hair to the Little Princess Trust to make wigs for children affected by cancer but to try and raise some money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"I have chosen this charity because of Matt, our family member who is severely affected by this condition."

Mum Sarah Royle (41) who lives with her daughter in Blackpool spends most weekends in Lees, where her partner lives.

The family has raised more than £600 through a JustGiving page and sponsorship.

Stem cell transplant specialist nurse Sarah said: "My partner's brother is 28 and is severely affected by MS.

"There has been a rapid deterioration in the 11 months I have been with my partner.

"Taya is very adamant that she wants to do this. She told me that she was excited that people are giving her money to give to a charity to help people like Matt and she hopes people will give more."

Hair stylist Lauren Cornwall, who has worked at Techniques for two years, was given the responsibility of cutting Taya's hair.

Salon owner Julie Brannelly said: "I'm amazed that someone so young has done this.

"She came in to make an appointment and we asked if she had thought about raising some money because it was such a good thing she was doing for her age."

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sarah-Royle2.