A BRAVE sixth form student has shaved her head to show her support to a young girl who lost her hair following treatment for cancer.

Alicia Robinson decided to raise funds for Ward 4 Children’s Cancer Ward at the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle after family friend Emma Bell was diagnosed with leukaemia.

And the caring 18-year-old has also donated her hair to Little Princesses, a charity that creates children’s wigs.

The student, from Nunthorpe Academy, near Middlesbrough, took part in the sponsored hair cut in front of hundreds of staff and fellow students during a special lunchtime event.

The teenager said: “I have always wanted to do it at some point in my life but them a little girl I know, Emma Bell, lost her hair through chemotherapy I thought it would be good to say to her she’s not the only one.”

Staff, students, family and friends, who watched on as the teenager first had her long her cut off and then head shaved, all made a donation to support her brave move.

She has already raised almost £650 online and with offline donations and sponsorship still rolling in, the teenager expects to raise more than £1,500.

Anyone wanting to sponsor the teenager should visit www.justgiving.com/Alicia-Robinson1 to make a donation.