SCHOOLGIRL Poppy Verhaege has certainly proved herself to be a cut above.

For the eight-year-old, from Blackrod, has taken the difficult decision to donate her beautiful blond locks to a charity which helps children who have lost their own hair through illness.

Poppy, who is a pupil at Blackrod Church School, says she has been growing her hair "forever" but decided to have it cut to help others less fortunate than herself.

She said: "My new hairstyle is really nice. It has made me feel very happy to donate my hair to someone who really needs it."

She sprung into action after seeing an advertisement for the charity Little Princess Trust and decided to have her hair cut off to be made into a wig for a poorly child. Poppy researched the charity on the internet before deciding to go ahead with the chop — and she says she is liking her new look.

Her hair was cut by Amy Hunter of Hair by Amy Louise, based in Wigan. It will be used in a wig for a poorly child.

Jill Bramwell, deputy headteacher at Blackrod Church School, said Poppy had shown great kindness by donating her hair to the charity.

She said: "We are all so proud of Poppy. She is a wonderful example to us all of how to put the needs of others ahead of ourselves; a trait we encourage in all our pupils."

The Little Princess Trust provides real-hair wigs to boys and girls across the UK and Ireland. The wigs are provided free of charge but the average cost to the charity to purchase one wig is around £350.

But from hair donations, a large number of wigs are manufactured and given to them for free.

The Little Princess Trust was launched in 2006 by the parents of the late Hannah Tarplee, along with help from friends and from Hannah’s school, Hereford Cathedral Junior School.

Blackrod Church School pupils really an inspiring example to young people everywhere.

Earlier this year, Peyia Cambers-Swords, aged eight, and Jack Matthews, aged six, raised money to support children with Asperger’s syndrome. The school has been chosen as being one of two outstanding primary schools chosen to have a specialist unit so children with autism will, for the first time, receive the education and support they need in Bolton rather than being sent out of the borough or placed “inappropriately” in Bolton’s schools.

After hearing the news the two decided to raise money for it.

The unit will be officially opened this evening (Wednesdsay).