BEAUTY student Sophie Iredale lost her red locks after having her hair shaved off in aid of a children’s cancer charity.

The 16-year-old Redcar and Cleveland College student is hoping to raise more than £500 for the Little Princess Trust, which provides real hair wigs to children suffering from hair loss due to cancer treatments and other illnesses, such as alopecia.

Before her long hair could be shaved, hairdressing students at the college split it into sections so that all of Sophie’s classmates were each able to chop a bit off, with Sophie making the first cut.

But it was old friend and fellow student Bryony Deane who was chosen by Sophie to carry out the head shave.

“A charity head shave is something I’ve wanted to do for years, so when my tutor Michaela told me about the Little Princess Trust I knew that I had to do it,” said Sophie from Redcar.

“My friends tried to convince me to just have it cut short, but I did the head shave to show support for all of the children who lose their hair due to illness.

“I was more excited than nervous on the day and now I feel amazing, like I’ve really achieved something. Bryony and I have been friends for years. I asked her to shave my hair because I knew I couldtrust her.”

Bev Osborne, Level 2 Course Leader for Beauty Therapy at Redcar & Cleveland College, said: “Sophie is a very brave and mature girl for choosing to have her head shaved.

“She is so passionate and I know that this is something she has wanted to do for many years, so we are thrilled to have been part of her big day. The whole group are very supportive of each other so it was very fitting that they all helped her in snipping a part of her hair off.”

Sophie plans to take part in the Race for Life in June this year to raise more money for a cancer charity.