TWO sisters have made the ultimate girls' sacrifice to help others - having their hair chopped off for charity.
Eliya Trevorrow, 11, and her ten-year old sister Shemiya have been growing their hair since they were five, only going for an occasional trim.
But after watching a television feature about a little girl who lost her hair after undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia and sadly later died, they decided to do the one thing they could to help.
Shemiya explained: "The little girl said she didn't feel pretty any more without her hair. Then she died and it was really upsetting. We wanted to help other girls who were the same as her."
The girls heard about the Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides real-hair wigs free to boys and girls who have suffered hair loss and supported by singer Jessie J, and decided to cut their hair so they could donate it.
Mum Tamsin was unsure at first. "I wanted to be certain it was something they definitely wanted to do, even though I thought it sounded amazing. They were only eight and nine at the time so I had to make sure it wasn't just an emotional response to what they'd seen on TV.
"To their credit, they were really determined to do it so, finally, I said they could go ahead."
Tamsin, who works with young care leavers and also has two younger daughters, added: "As a mum it was quite emotional. I'm driven by causes I feel passionate about so it was so interesting hearing my own daughters wanting to make a massive sacrifice.
"Like all young girls, they love their hair, and they had to process comments from some children saying they wouldn't suit it short, so it wasn't a small decision for them."
When Tamsin mentioned the girls' idea to her hair stylist, Lindsey Maughan, at Shine Hair & Beauty, in Northallerton, she offered to cut it for free.
"I was so moved by what the girls wanted to do that I thought the least we could do to support them was to give them a special cut and style," said Lindsey. "I was nearly crying, but the girls weren't phased at all, they were really brave.
"I think it was nice for Tamsin to be able to bring them somewhere she trusts and feels comfortable."
Shemiya, who goes to Brompton Primary School, went for a classic bob style.
"I was really nervous on the day but I wanted to do it. Lindsey plaited it and then cut off the plait in one go.
"My teacher thought I was a new pupil. My friends were really shocked, but they all have bobs so now I'm the same as them," added Shemiya, whose locks were so long and thick they produced enough hair to make two wigs, which cost around £350 each.
Eliya, who has just started at Allertonshire School, opted for an asymmetrical bob. She added: "It's a lot easier on a morning now. We used to be always running around looking for a brush but now it's quicker."
Both girls are planning to grow their hair so they can cut and donate it again.