TWO Girlguiding volunteers have had locks of their hair chopped off to help a close cause of a 10-year-old girl who battled with cancer for two years.

Following her recovery, Elle Tierney was desperate to join the 7th Tyldesley Guide unit after spending lots of time in hospital where she rarely met children her age.

Girlguiding leader Delia Fletcher, 56, was originally growing her hair to play one of the seven dwarves in a Snow White pantomime with her church, St Ambrose Barlow, along with work colleague and Elle’s nan Angela Worrall.

Angela told Delia about Elle's desire to join the guide unit, where Angela is an assistant guide leader.

Delia was so impressed by Elle’s courage that she donated her hair and raised funds for the Little Princess Trust, a charity creating real wigs for young people with hair loss.

Delia set up a fundraising page and raised £545 for the Little Princess Trust by the day of her haircut.

Fellow Girlguiding helper Catherine Dootson, 25, was inspired by Delia to arrange her own Little Princess Trust haircut, which raised a further £375 for the charity.

Leigh Journal:

Delia's long hair before it was cut

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Delia said: “Elle was understandably quiet upon joining Girlguiding, having been away from children her age for so long.

"But after a few months, she settled in.

"She now joins in with all our activities from cooking to first aid and is preparing for her first camping trip in May.

"Since joining Elle has become such a lovely member of the unit and I wanted to help other children like her.

"I had already grown my hair for the pantomime, so I decided to let it grow more, have it cut it off and help create wigs for children facing similar situations."

Leigh Journal:

Catherine and Delia after having their haircuts at Rumours in Tyldesley

Co-founder of the Little Princess Trust Wendy Tarplee-Morris said: "We can only continue giving real hair wigs to children and young people thanks to the generosity of people like Delia.

“It costs us £550 to provide a real hair wig to a young person so the fundraising will also be a huge help for someone at a very difficult time in their young life.

"It's great to hear of Elle's recovery and I hope she has a wonderful time enjoying many great experiences in the Girl Guides."