KIND hearted seven-year-old Lilia Day has had her hair cut short to support children going through cancer treatment.

The Rufforth Primary School pupil, who has been growing her hair for three years, has donated her locks to the Little Princess Trust to make a wig for a young cancer patient.

She made the decision upon learning children can become ill with cancer after the two-year-old daughter of a close family friend was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Lilia - who has been supported by her school and Brownie group - has also raised some £2500 for the Little Princess Trust and for Candlelighters.

Weeks earlier her friend Addison Chapman, six, of Poppleton Road Primary School, also had her hair cut for the charity.

Her mum, Sarah said: "I'm feeling immensely proud that Lilia has done something so generous to help young children in this way and I'm amazed at the huge amount she has raised all on her own. It's really inspired people and all her friends.

"Rufforth school had a hats and wigs day and the 37th Acomb Methodist Brownies held a huge pyjama party. My work, Costcutter Supermarkets Group, also raised a huge amount with a non uniform day."

Before having her hair cut Lilia said: "My mummy's friend Beki has a little girl called Georgiana Pooley and she is two, just like my little sister and is really poorly with leukaemia and has lost all her hair. So I am raising money for little girls like Georgi so that they can have special wigs made with real hair to help make them feel a little bit happier."

To sponsor Lilia, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/LiliaDay