A little girl has shaved off her hair after being inspired by a sick school friend.

Molly Farinella Tuffin,11, made the brave decision to have her locks chopped off and go for the drastic number four cut just before she starts secondary school.

Her hair was almost to her waist but she was willing to say goodbye to it to raise money for eight-year-old Talleulah Knight, who has a rare genetic disorder.

Molly’s mum tried to persuade her to have it cut in a short bob instead, but her daughter insisted she wanted to have it shaved off to raise as much money as she could, telling her: “Talleulah lost her hair so I can lose mine to help.”

The head shave took place at the Cricketers pub in Sturdee Avenue, Gillingham, where staff organised a bouncy castle and barbecue to raise more funds.

Molly’s mum Lisa Tuffin said: “It was an emotional day. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Molly had her hair cut. Talleulah was there and held Molly’s hand the whole time she was having it done.”

Talleulah, who goes to St Mary’s Catholic School in Gillingham, was diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) in 2014, which has left her unable to walk.

Her family launched an appeal to help pay for gene replacement therapy in Milan. Since the treatment, fundraising has continued as Talleulah must return to Italy for tests and is having physiotherapy here in the UK.

Molly has raised around £3,000 and her total is set to rise when a signed Gillingham FC football and shirt are raffled at the Cricketers tomorrow (Saturday) at 2.30pm.

The money will be split between Talleulah’s fund and the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children who lose their hair through cancer treatment. Molly has also sent her hair to the charity.

Mrs Tuffin said: “We couldn’t be more proud of Molly, to have done this at such a young age, especially when she is about to start secondary school.

"She has always been quite precious about her hair but she hasn’t got any regrets. We think her new style looks great too. It really suits her.”

• To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/molly-tuffin