Kindhearted Waterlooville schoolgirl, 10, chops off 40cm of hair to donate to the Little Princess Trust

For the past year, 10-year-old Rebekah Patis has been growing her hair as long as possible so she could donate it to the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs for children and young people experiencing hair loss.

Inspired by someone from school who braved the challenge, Rebekah had more than 40cm cut off to give other children an opportunity to enjoy having long hair.

Rebekah, from Waterlooville, said: ‘I told my parents and they said that’s a lovely idea. I watched some programmes with people on TV who have cancer.

‘I thought it would be bad for a child because children love playing with their hair so if they have very little they’re not going to feel good about themselves.

‘I just want to help them by getting my hair cut and passing it on. I’m fortunate unlike people with cancer and I want to give them an opportunity to play with their hair and style it.’

Hart Plain Junior School pupil Rebekah was nervous before having her hair cut at Jenuine Styles in Waterlooville, but she was excited as she couldn’t remember what her hair looked like when it was short.

Proud dad Matthew said: ‘I think it’s brave of her doing it because she doesn’t remember herself having short hair. She loves her long hair.

‘I think she’s done amazingly because she’s now up to more than £800 in sponsorship. It’s amazing that she’s achieved that. We’re immensely proud of her that she wanted to do this.’

SEE ALSO: More than 50 entries for Purbrook Horticultural Society virtual summer show now on display online

Rebekah’s impressive total stands at more than £800, which has shocked the kindhearted schoolgirl whose target was £50.

She said: ‘We started off with the target as £50 and lots of people started to donate and even my teacher donated some to me. It really shocked me how many people want to sponsor me.

‘Some of my cousin’s friends I don’t even know donated, and people from Hart Plain Church.’

Despite loving her long hair, Rebekah is over the moon with her total and loves her new bob hairdo.

Visit facebook.com/donate/715135755771154 to donate to Rebekah’s total.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as our new Puzzles section.