THERE were tears of pride when Royal Wootton Bassett schoolgirl Eloise Lovesey had her waist-length hair cut off in support of her mum.

The 12-year-old had her head shaved on Saturday in front of friends and family at her Briars Close home, after raising more than £2,700 for Breast Cancer Care.

The youngster, who attends Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, decided to have her head shaved after her mum, Hayley, was diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer in December.

Eloise said: “When I found out my mum had breast cancer I was really upset and wanted to raise money in some way. Then I had the idea to raise money by shaving my hair so we could both go through it together.

“I was excited to do it because I have been waiting for ages to do it. I had been planning it since January. I was also a bit nervous.

“I don’t feel very different now it’s done. I think it looks good. I was worried I might look like a boy but I don’t.”

The people who heard her story were so moved that she raised £1,400 within just three days of her Just Giving page going live.

She said: “I am so pleased about how much money I raised. I wasn’t even expecting to raise £1,000. I was amazed at how generous everyone has been.

“My friends have been so supportive as well.”

Eloise will send her hair to the Little Princess Trust, which makes real-hair wigs for children.

Mum Hayley said she was proud of her daughter for doing the head shave and showing her support.

The 36-year-old added: “I think it’s amazing what Eloise has done. I think it’s such a brave thing to do.

“Everybody has been so generous as well, and I want to say a big thank you to everybody who donated.”

Hayley has recently completed her second cycle of chemotherapy at Great Western Hospital, and she expects to go through four more cycles, with three weeks’ recuperation between each.

The mother of five said all her children had remained strong throughout the process, despite the change in her appearance and the loss of her hair.

She said: “It’s quite hard to go through. I lost most of my hair and then shaved what was left off. It was quite hard to come to terms with.

“Obviously it was difficult for the children to see me looking the way I was initially, but they have been fantastic and quite resilient.”

People can still support Eloise’s effort. To donate to her cause, visit www.justgiving.com/eloiseheadshave