Hair-raising charity effort, Barnard Castle Preparatory School pupil Agatha Barrass

A LONG haired learner has lost her locks after a 12 inch charity trim.

Barnard Castle Preparatory School pupil Agatha Barrass agreed to the haircut which saw her pony tail lopped by a foot to raise an impressive £830 for charity.

The six-year-old offered to give up two year’s growth and donate it to the Little Princess Trust which uses the hair and the funds to make wigs for people who have lost theirs.

“My hair was really long and every morning when I brushed it it was so cottery,” said the Year 2 pupil. “Now it is so much easier.”

Her mum Leanne said it took one hour 40 minutes to wash, dry and brush Agatha’s hair which often ended up being covered in jam or treacle when she ate.

“It has been driving us crazy – she got the comb stuck in it the other day and it took us two hours to remove it with a set of pliers,” she said. “Agatha was often in tears when I was trying to get the cotters out. When she came to have it cut she was so brave and didn’t even shut her eyes.

“Her brother Oliver plays rugby and a little girl there had donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, so we decided to donate Agatha’s as it costs £700 to produce a wig.

“She has had some epic hairdos and updos in her time but it takes so much effort, particularly in the mornings when we have to set off early to school as we live in Consett.”

Prep School deputy head Sarah Leonard said: “Agatha is just so caring and it is no surprise that she has done this amazing thing for such a worthy charity.”

She was awarded a special Heart of Gold accolade by the school and a certificate of commendation by the charity for her efforts.