Young girl from Preston who had bell's palsy raises more than £1,000 for Brian House Children's Hospice in Blackpool by cutting her hair

Eleven-year-old Ellie-Jo Thompson, of Preston, raised £1,200 for Brian House Children’s Hospice in Blackpool by getting sponsored to chop

12 inches of her long blonde hair. She then donated the hair to The Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illnesses.

The Fulwood High Pupil said she wanted to help children with no hair feel more confident after she struggled with her temporary bell’s palsy which started in October 2017.

“I would not have been able to raise the money without the support of Preston Dragons, Preston Marina and my family.

“There was a festival at the marina and they brought me out on the stage to share my story. Everyone was supportive and said I suited my hair.

“I thought I would raise £300 so I can’t believe I managed to get £1,000.”

Her mum, Joanne Smith, said: “Ellie-Jo is over the moon she has raised so much. I am so proud - she has such a big heart.

“Preston Marina put on a festival in the boat yard and as Ellie-Jo had reached £850, they pushed to make it £1,000 by putting people in the stocks and asking for donations.”

Ellie-Jo had her hair cut at her aunt Kelly Holmes’s salon Rare Hair and Beauty, in Plungington Road.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ellie-jothompson