A TEENAGER with learning disabilities was somoved by a picture of a girl battling cancer, she raised cash and donated some of her hair to create a wig for similar youngsters.

Heather Braithwaite, 13, of Birch Close, Benfleet, has her own daily challenges because she has physical and learning disabilities, but still put herself out to help others.

Heather, a pupil at Glenwood Special School, Benfleet, suffers from epilepsy, uses a powered wheelchair and has severe communication difficulties.

However, she grabbed the chance to help after seeing a young girl has lost her hair while fighting cancer.

Heather’s mum, Sandy, said: “She recently saw a picture of a girl with no hair because of cancer treatment and asked me why the girl had no hair.

“When I explained she had been unwell Heather was upset. I joked we could send her some of her hair, as it was getting quite long.

“Heather doesn’t really like having her hair cut, but she immediately said, ‘yes do it!’.”

The cash will be passed to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for girls undergoing chemotherapy.

Sandy added: “I had heard of the trust through my own charity work as a trustee of Special Kids in the UK, and so we looked into how to donate hair.”

They set themselves the summer challenge of raising at least £350 – the cost of making one wig – with Heather offering the minimum 17cms of hair.

The response to Heather’s efforts was overwhelming and over the summer holidays, she raised £1,075.

Ms Braithwaite, 40, said: “Earlier this month, we went to Aimee Hair Salon in Leigh, where the staff couldn't have been nicer.

“They not only cut her hair for free, but they ordered her a chocolate milkshake delivery, and changed the salon music to her favourite songs by One Direction.

“Hairdresser Kurt Nicholls plaited and cut her hair and she ended up donating 30cms of hair.”