A KINGSLAND Primary pupil has donated her hair to charity and talked her family into having a fundraising summer holiday.

Neve Reed was so touched by a television programme about hair-loss during chemotherapy she was inspired to contribute.

The 11-year had her flowing locks chopped off and donated to the Little Princess Trust for making wigs.

Neve donated a total of 15 inches of her hair as well as over £100 that she raised from an accompanying bake sale.

The kind-hearted youngster then set about convincing her family to join her fundraising campaign by turning their summer break into a challenge.

Neve told the Peeblesshire News: “After watching the programme, that got me thinking, what if I donate my hair then I can give someone the same chances as me to have a go at things that they couldn’t do before?

“I donated 15 inches of my hair to the Little Princess Trust, but I did not stop there. I then gathered three of my friends to do a bake sale and we raised £115.83.”

Following the sale and the hair donation, Neve’s fundraising efforts stepped up a gear as she encouraged her family to raise money on their summer holiday.

Neve added: “On our holiday later this year, my family are cycling the length of the Outer Hebrides from bottom to top, to raise money for two charities.

"One of the charities, The Bendrigg Trust, helps children with physical needs do things other children can do. There’s a climbing wall in which a wheelchair can go up, and canoes that wheelchairs can go in. 

“We are also donating to a mental health charity called Young Minds. 

“This helps kids with mental health problems which will help stop them from committing suicide. 

“Three people I know have committed suicide, it makes me feel really upset because they had lives to live but something was going on in their minds so they had to get rid of it somehow. I don’t want anyone else to have to do this.

“I believe that everyone should have the same chances no matter what their physical or mental needs are. 

“I would ask everyone to please donate whatever you can to these charities, because everyone counts.”

Neve’s proud parents admit that they couldn’t resist taking their daughter’s lead with a fundraising effort of their own.

Neve’s mum, Abi, added: “Neve has been growing her hair since she was little, she was so proud of having the longest hair in her year, so we were all immensely proud of her when she announced one day she’d seen a programme on CBBC and thought she’d donate her hair.

"Of course with our youngest setting such a good example, we got thinking as a family what we could do together and decided to use our summer holiday this year as a fundraiser.”

To sponsor Neve, go to: www.sponsorme.co.uk/richardreed/cycling-the-hebridean-way.aspx