FOR SIX years Ella Goulding grew her lustrous locks until they reached her bellybutton.
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And in less than a minute last week, most of it was gone.
In just seven snips, 35.5 cm of the teenager's hair was chopped off — leaving the rest in a cute bob.
It was all in the name of charity.
“I am donating my hair to a cancer charity called Hair With Heart which will turn it into a wig for cancer patients who have lost their hair,” she said.
The 13-year-old also managed to raise $1271 along the way.
Ella, who starts Year 8 at St Joseph's College this year, said the idea came to her at the start of last year.
“A lot of my family have been affected by cancer,” she said.
“My dad's step-mum died from breast cancer before I was born and my dad's mum has now got it for the second time.
“My granddad has also had bowel cancer.
“I wanted to get my hair cut but thought donating it to people who needed it would be better than just wasting it.”
Ella said she had been growing her hair since Year 2 when she had it cut to her shoulders.
“I've had trims along the way,” she said.
Felicity Collins from Hakkas Hair Design, who is a cousin of Ella's dad Lynden, gave Ella the chop on Friday, January 17.
It was appropriate, given the hairdresser has fitted wigs to hundreds of women undergoing cancer treatment in the past 11 years as part of the Look Good Feel Better program.
“I was excited but nervous,” Ella said.
``It feels different because of how long it was, but I love it.
“I feel glad that I've done something good for someone who may not be as lucky as me.”
Ella's mum Honni said it was a lovely gesture from her daughter.
“It was all her idea, so I'm very proud of her,” she said.
To donate, visit hairwithheart.everydayhero.com/au/ and follow the links.
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