A MUM will cut her long locks after being inspired by a little girl battling an illness she saw on a trip to Disneyland.

Gemma Cox, 30, of Southfields, Tillingham, will have nine inches of her long brown hair cut off for the Little Princess Trust.

Gemma, a make-up artist, decided to take the plunge for charity after a family trip to Disneyland Paris last month.

During the trip Gemma spotted a little girl who had lost her hair who was meeting Minnie Mouse.

Inspired by the little girl’s bravery and seeing how happy she was Gemma decided she wanted to do something to help other children who have suffered hair loss as the result of illness.

She said: “There were lots of children who were disabled or ill. But there was one girl who was so lovely and looked so happy.

“I wished I could do something to help make it a bit better for her.

“Her parents looked so happy but you could see they had been through dark times before.

“That is why I wanted to do something for children with hair loss.”

After getting the approval of daughter Layla, five, the mum-of-two set up a fundraising page and organised the haircut.

She will have her hair cut at the Elizabeth Louise salon in Laindon on December 3.

“I am having it cut in a bob so I can give as much as it can,” she said.

“I have had it cut short a few times but I have been growing it for five years.

“I absolutely love my hair but it is for a good cause.”

The Little Princess Trust provides wigs to children who have lost their hair due to their cancer treatment.

Each wig costs between £350 and £500 and Gemma is hoping to raise £350 towards the cost of a wig.

To donate visit justgiving.com and search for Gemma Cox.