A PENARTH schoolgirl who struggles with getting her hair cut is set to say goodbye to her treasured locks to raise money for a cancer charity in September.

Nova Utting, eight, has never had her hair cut more than an inch - but now is set to donate most of her hair to charity.

Mum Lucy told the Argus of her shock when her daughter approached her and asked if she could donate her hair to the Little Princess Trust.

She said: “She has got long thick hair which I have been trying to get cut for a while, but she would always refuse. One day she was at my parents’ house and an advert came up about cancer.

“My dad had it at the beginning of the lockdown and he was talking to her about it and explaining about the charity and told her about the Little Princess Trust where you cut your hair and donate it.

Penarth Times: Mum Lucy Utting (C) with son Nova (L) and daughter Nova (R)Mum Lucy Utting (C) with son Nova (L) and daughter Nova (R) (Image: Lucy Utting)

Mum Lucy, Centre with son Noah, Left and daughter Nova. Picture: Lucy Utting

“He told her the hair would help make a wig for little girls who need it, and she turned around and told him that she wanted to do that.”

Nova will donate 10 to 11 inches of her hair on September 1, 2023, to the Little Princess Trust.

The charity specialises in making wigs for children and young people up to the age of 24 who have lost hair due to cancer.

The event will take place at the Penarth Labour Club, with club chairwoman Tracey Kemp - who is also a hairdresser - wielding the scissors.

Mrs Utting, who is also mum to Noah, ten, set up a gofundme page to raise money for the charity.

Penarth Times: The event on September 1 will happen at Penarth Labour Club The event on September 1 will happen at Penarth Labour Club (Image: Newsquest)

The event will happen at Penarth Labour Club on September 1. Picture: Newsquest

The family has already reached their £500 target, with more money still flooding in.

Mrs Utting added: “I am so unbelievably proud of her and her selfless ways, she is a bit nervous and a bit excited I can’t put into words the pride I feel towards her.

“At such a young age hair to a little girl is everything, and for her to be in one mind and then another to help another child just goes to prove what time of person she is.”

For those wishing to donate to Nova can by visiting: https://www.gofundme.com/f/novas-sponsored-hair-cut?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unknown&utm_campaign=comms_r5vh+novas-sponsored-hair-cut