A teenager with long hair has had 16 inches of it cut off for a charity which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair to illness.

Dunmow Broadcast: EvieEvie (Image: Archant)

The youngster, Evie Davis, 16, also gathered sponsors to raise money for Maddi Thurgood, a fellow pupil at Joyce Frankland Academy in Newport, whose family is raising funds for her to have treatment for a wasting disease.

On Friday, July 8, Evie from Great Dunmow went to hairdresser Smith and Co to have her hair cut and given to the Little Princess Trust. Then on Tuesday, Evie set off in a group of 12 students on a school trip to the Himalayas to build a solar panelled bathhouse for a village.

Evie said: “It’s they don’t have to rely on expensive fuel in the winter when they get snowed in.”

The students will help to construct the bathhouse using local resources, including forming bricks by hand using soil. While the construction is drying, they will go on a five-day trek in the mountains. On their return they will attach the solar panels and hand it over to the villagers in a small ceremony.”

Evie set off with her pixie cut. She said: “This is the shortest haircut I’ve ever had. It’ll be hot going to India so this seemed a good time to do it.”

Evie has added £100 to the donations for Maddi appeal which has now reached over £100,000 since being launched in May. Maddi’s parents have been told her best hope of treatment is a stem cell transplant in America, which will cost at least £300,000. On-going collections are being held at Saffron Walden market.

So far, that market collection has raised £874, including £162 on Saturday with a flick the coin into a jug challenge. There are also collection jars in 23 Saffron Walden shops.

Saffron collection organiser, Jackie Portway said: “Not everyone can afford to donate through justgiving because the minimum is £5 but people will give £1 or 50p or 20p and it all mounts up. We have to help this child. I’d like to say thank you to everyone who has given.”

To donate to the appeal for Maddi go to: https//crowdfunding.justgiving.com/save-our-maddi