AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl from Dursley raised more than £1,000 and cut her waist-length hair for children with cancer.

Following a conversation with family last year, Isobel Staddon, of Kingshill Road, decided to raise money for the Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes real hair wigs for young girls undergoing cancer treatment.

Through friends and family, Isobel, who recently began studying at Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School in Wotton-under-Edge, managed to take in a still-growing sum of £1,100.

Isobel’s dad Chad Staddon, a professor of environmental policy at the University of the West of England, told the Gazette how Isobel’s idea came about.

“We started talking last year about what Isobel could do to help other people,” he said.

“The Little Princess Trust was really her idea and inspiration, after coming to the realisation she very long hair.

“She made the commitment to chop her hair and her family made the commitment to help her raise sponsorship money.”

Family, friends and her parents' workmates all helped boost Isobel’s pot, and the amount is still growing today.

Then, on Monday, January 4, she lost her long locks of hair, which now reaches just above her shoulders.

Chad, who felt the most important thing was Isobel gaining a sense of civic responsibility, said he was incredibly proud of his daughter.

“As a father I’m tremendously proud of Isobel’s initiative and achievement,” he said.

“I think it’s critical for parents to help their children discover a sense of civic responsibility.

“She’s been absolutely delighted with the fundraising and it’s also helped with her confidence. And, now she’s past the shock of seeing her hair the first time and realised how much less time it takes to wash, it’s really a win win win situation.”

Isobel lives in Kingshill Road with her dad, mum Mary Beth and sister Sofia.

If you would like to support Isobel’s fundraising and donate money to the Little Princess Trust on her behalf do so via justgiving.com/Mary-Beth-Staddon.