TEENAGER Poppy Dart has proved she has a heart of gold after chopping off her long locks in support of a friend who battled an aggressive brain tumour.

The Cransley School pupil has been growing her hair since December, only to have it cut off and turned into a wig by The Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides real hair pieces to children and young people who’ve lost their own hair through illness.

The 13-year-old, who lives in Oakmere, explained: “My friend at school has recently been given the all clear after battling for five years with an aggressive brain tumour. Before Christmas she shared her story with the school during assembly and I had no idea that she had lost all her hair while she was having treatment.

“I couldn't imagine what it would feel like to lose my own hair and felt upset and immediately wanted to do something. So, since Christmas I have been growing my hair so it's long enough to have cut and be made into a wig for other children recovering from cancer and other illnesses.

“I hope that this will help other children to feel better at a time when they probably feel horrible.”

Poppy’s mum Emma Wilson, who runs Emma Wilson Fitness in Cuddington, said: “I’m so very proud of her. She’s a very selfless girl, I was really touched when she told me she wanted to do this for her friend Emilie.”

Poppy’s long locks were cut at Cuddington hair salon STYLE.ME last Tuesday.

Emma added: “My heart was in my mouth when she was having it cut, because although it’s only a haircut, it is quite a brave thing to as a lot of our identity is tied up in our hair.”

As well as donating her long locks, Poppy has also raised more than £610 and counting for the charity, smashing her initial target of £500.