A KIND-hearted Stourbridge student is to chop off her beloved locks to help young cancer sufferers who have lost their own hair.

Tamara Patterson, aged 17, is cutting her long hair so it can be made into wigs for children battling the disease.

The A-level student, who attends King Edward VI College, was moved to do this after watching a TV programme on children whose hair had fallen out because of chemotherapy treatment.

Tamara, from Stourport, will donate her hair to the Little Princess Trust, which provides free real-hair wigs for children.

She said: “I saw a TV programme about children who had lost their hair because of cancer and it stuck with me. I kept thinking about those poor children so I wanted to do something to help them.

“I have always had long hair and I do love it. My friends are really supportive although some are telling me I shouldn’t do it as they like my hair.

“I am a bit nervous about having it done but it is nothing compared with what those children are going through. Real hair wigs make such a difference and gives them a lot of confidence. My hair will grow back.”

Her mum Kate French said: “I am extremely proud of Tamara. At first I was thinking ‘but you have such beautiful hair’. But she just said that her hair will grow back and she is determined to help those children.

“For a teenage girl, who is extremely fond of her hair, to make such a sacrifice is very generous and selfless.”

Tamara, who has a weekend job at Boots Opticians, Kidderminster, will be having her locks cut off at Abstract salon, Calder Road, Stourport, on Wednesday November 26.

As well as donating her hair, she is raising money for the Little Princess Trust. Anyone wishing to donate can do so by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/Tamara-Patterson/