An 11-year-old Letchworth schoolgirl has been inspired by a friend’s fight with cancer to have her hair cut off to help others living with the disease.
Ella Aquilina has had her long locks cut by 12 inches after her friend and classmate Harley Hall, also 11, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour and had life-saving treatment in the USA last year.
Her hair will go to the Little Princess Trust charity, which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair during cancer treatment – with the charity also receiving £536 donated by Ella’s supporters.
Ella told the Comet: “I heard about all the children who have no hair now, and my friend Harley was diagnosed with cancer as well.
“I feel good and proud of myself after doing this for them.”
Harley’s mum Amber added: “It’s overwhelming what Ella has done. She had such beautiful long hair.
“For a child of that age to decide to cut her hair off to help someone else is just absolutely phenomenal.”
Ella had the haircut while staying with her aunt Sue and uncle Mark in the Norfolk seaside town of Cromer, along with her brother and cousin.
Sue said: “When Ella found out her friend had been diagnosed with a brain tumour she was extremely upset. She wanted to do something to help people with cancer.
“She became determined to have her hair cut off and donate it to be made into wigs, I suggested she could raise money too, as it costs an average of £500 for them to make a wig.
“She raised a massive £536. We, her family, are all so proud at what she has done.”
You can still donate to Ella’s fundraising at justgiving.com/fundraising/ellaaquilina.
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