An apprentice who cut her long locks to help children with cancer has won a community hero award.

Leah Goodhew, 21, from Rickmansworth and a housing apprentice for Three Rivers District Council, donated her hair to charity last month.

She cut 15.15 inches for The Little Princess Trust to make wigs for children who lost their hair.

She said: “My hair has given me confidence and made me very happy.

"Despite this, I donated it so it could make someone else feel happy and confident throughout their difficult treatment.

“I think that children and young adults having to go through these treatments are very strong, brave and inspirational.

Hillingdon Times:

Leah's hair donation. Photo: Leah Goodhew

“Cutting my hair is nothing compared to what they have to deal with day-to-day.

"Hopefully, my hair can help towards making those treatments and losing their hair a little easier.”

The charity provide free real hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

Co-founder of The Little Princess Trust Wendy Tarplee-Morris said: I am so grateful to Leah for thinking of our charity."

"Real hair wigs really do help to restore a young person's confidence and identity at such a difficult time in their lives, and we can only provide them thanks to people like Leah.

"We currently have a real need for longer wigs so the fact that Leah's donation was more than 15 inches is a great help to us.

Hillingdon Times:

Leah before donating her hair. Photo: Leah Goodhew

"I would encourage anyone else thinking of donating to keep their hair growing for as long as they can before getting their haircut."

Ms Goodhew said anyone can donate their hair as long as it is not all grey and they can at least give seven inches of it.

She added: “I would definitely donate my hair in the future when it grows back.

“I think it is amazing what the charity does for these children, they can make anyone’s hair into a perfect wig.

When told she won the award Ms Goodhew said: “It's amazing. I have never really been a hero for anything before.

“But it is nothing compared to the work of the charity and what the children have to deal with every day. It is nice that I can help where I can.”