A STUDENT had her long hair shaved off so it could be made into wigs for seriously-ill children.

Iona Perry, 20, took the brave decision to let her hairdressing aunt Jo Bray get rid of her 26-inch locks.

All the hair was collected in freezer bags and sent to the Little Princess Trust, which will use it to make wigs for children who lose their own hair through cancer treatment.

Iona, of Ravel Close, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, has also raised more than £1,000 for the charity through sponsorship.

The fine arts student said: “I had been thinking about getting rid of my hair for a while so I looked into several different charities that you could donate your hair to. It was a big change, but it is worth it.”

The head-shaving took place at the home of Mrs Bray, in Old Worting Road, South Ham, Basingstoke, and family and friends watched.

Mrs Bray, 46, who works part-time at the Transformations salon, in Odiham, said: “This was a very big thing – I have been in the industry for 30 years and I have never had to take back hair from 26-inches long to scalp. We are very proud of her and she was very brave.”

Donations to the challenge can still be made via justgiving.com/iona-goes-bald.