A seven-year-old South Norwood girl had her waist-length red hair chopped off in front a school assembly this week in a heart-warming act of kindness for children with cancer.

Little Lorian Gruber wants her long locks to be made into wigs for children who have lost their own hair while undergoing chemotherapy.

Brave Lorian sat at the front of an audience of her fellow pupils and teachers on Monday (November 26) at Whitehorse Manor School in Thornton Heath as her ponytail was symbolically snipped off.

Lorian's mum, Tracey Twidle, told the Guardian how touched she was at her daughter's offer: "Lorian had been looking at a magazine which showed children with cancer who were left with wisps of hair after chemotherapy.

"She asked me what happened to them and when I explained they had lost their hair because they were ill, she told me she wanted to cut her own hair and make it into wigs for them.

"I'm just so touched that she thought of it herself it's such a kind thing to do."

Tracey, who lives with Lorian in Holmewood Road, added: "As soon as she had it chopped off I took her to a local hairdressers and they styled her hair properly. The cut really suits her.

"Now all we need is an organisation who will put the hair to good use. I am adamant it will be used for the cause Lorian intended it for.

"I've phoned a couple of organisations but they don't know who would take the responsibility for such an unusual request."

If you can help Lorian to donate her hair to sick children, then contact the Croydon Guardian news desk on 020 8645 8816.

November 28, 2001 16:00