A big-hearted youngster is about to undergo a charity crop for the fourth time.

Gracie Saunders will have her Rapunzel-like locks trimmed to the shoulder on behalf of two good causes.

The 12-year-old’s tresses will be donated to Little Princess Trust which makes wigs for child cancer sufferers, while proceeds from the sponsored snip will be handed to Make a Wish.

She’s already more than halfway towards the £300 target she hopes to collect for the charity which helps seriously ill youngsters’ dreams come true.

Unlike the three previous occasions, Gracie, of Thorn Hill Road, Warden Bay, won’t be alone when she heads for MasterCuts in High Street, Sheerness, for her chop.

It’s a joint fundraising effort involving her sister Chloe, 10, and cousin Olivia Webster-Dowsing, eight.

All three have hair close to the waist, which according to Gracie’s mum, Katy, means the stylists will have their hands full.

“There’s quite a lot to chop off,” she said. “They’re all quite happy having it taken to the shoulder, but I couldn’t do it myself.”

Mum-of-three Katy, 33, a teaching assistant at Eastchurch Primary School, said Gracie raised more than £2,000 from her previous fundraisers.

“She was about six or seven when we got the idea for the first one,” she said.

“There was so much hair cut off it seemed a waste to bin it so we looked up charities that made wigs for children.”

Katy said Demelza Hospice Care for Children, and Millie’s Trust, which provides affordable first aid training, have also benefited from her daughter’s hirsute campaign.

She wonders whether the latest cut, which will take place next month on a date yet to be fixed, might be her last.

“She’s at the age where I can see her wanting to keep shoulder-length hair,” said Katy.

“So she might find a different way to raise money in future.

“We’re all extremely proud of her.

“Not many children of her age go to the extent of having their hair cut off for charity.”

To donate to the girls’ campaign, visit www.justgiving.com/Gracie-Saunders