A MOTHER and daughter whose lives have been touched by sadness have cut their hair for charities close to their hearts.

Wendy Brown, 42, is raising funds in memory of a close friend who recently died suddenly, while her 15-year-old daughter Sophie dedicated her efforts to a friend who is terminally ill with cancer.

Ms Brown, of Blackhill, Consett, said: “Sophie and I decided two years ago to grow out hair to have it cut for the Little Princess Trust – for children who lose their hair through cancer treatment.

“Last month a very close friend of mine, Peter Hollomby, passed away after having an aneurism. “He was helped a lot by the Royal British Legion, who I will be raising money for.

“Sophie learned only recently that a friend was dying of cancer and has less than a month to live. Sophie is raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.”

Ms Brown added: “Sophie’s friend has had an appalling life you could possibly imagine.

“She lost her father when she was very young, then lost her mother, followed by an aunt she went to live with.

“Then recently she found out recently she has not got long to live and has decided not to take the chemotherapy.

“She has gone to Italy to see the rest of her life out. Because she grew up abroad and her mother died in Italy, want her ashes to be scattered where her mom’s were.

“She is adamant she is going to stay alive until the 30th which is her 16th birthday.

“It has been really been a sad time, but we have tried to get something positive out of it."

The mother and daughter had their haircut at Muse Hair and Beauty in Blackhill.

A donation can be made to https://www.justgiving.com/teams/wendy-sophie.