A kind-hearted schoolgirl has donated her long locks to charity to raise money for her friend's grandfather dying of cancer.

Ellie Anderson from Ellesmere Port has raised £350 for Bill Brennan after cutting off 14 inches of her long blonde hair.

The seven-year-old pupil who attends Capenhurst Primary School was inspired to help raise funds for Bill after overhearing her parents discussing his story.

After being diagnosed with terminal cancer in August, Bill, who has three grandchildren, Katie-Mai, 6 and twins Jasmine and Jessica, 4, was given no longer than six months to live.

His heartbroken family are desperate to help save his life and are hoping to raise £40,000 which would pay for a cycle of immunotherapy treatment in Germany as it is unavailable to him on the NHS.

The pioneering cancer treatment is believed to have reduced the most aggressive and deadly types of skin cancer in 69 per cent of patients and Bill’s family are hopeful the treatment will help cure his illness.

Ellie Anderson having her hair cut off at The Boutique Atelier in Ellesmere Port
Ellie Anderson having her hair cut off at The Boutique Atelier in Ellesmere Port

Inspired to play a part in the race against time to help save Katie’s grandfather, Ellie asked her mum if she could donate her hair to raise funds for Bill.

Ellie’s locks will be donated to the Little Princess Trust - a charity which makes wigs made of real hair for children who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

Her mum Claire Anderson said: “You don’t think they’re listening but their ears are much bigger than you think.

“Ellie overheard me talking to my husband about Claire’s dad and how they are trying to make enough money for him to have cancer treatment.

“She came over to me later that day and asked whether she could cut her hair off and send it to the Little Princess Trust to raise money for Katie’s grandad [Bill].

“She takes everything in her stride - she’s an amazing little girl with such a sensitive soul.”

Ellie visited The Boutique Atelier in Ellesmere Port on Monday, October 24, where she had her hair chopped for the first time.

Claire added: “She’s never had her hair cut before, she’s only ever had a trim to tidy the ends, so she was donating all her baby hair.

“I think that’s the biggest reason why it was so emotional for me.

“I’m absolutely bursting with pride - she’s amazing.”

Bill and his wife Ruth Brennan thanked Ellie for her ‘amazing gesture’.

They said: “We would like to offer special thanks to a special little girl, Ellie Anderson, for donating her sponsorship money raised from her hair cut challange.

“We are so overwhelmed by the amount of money raised to date and appreciate all the efforts and hard work of the fundraising team.

Ellie Anderson before cutting her hair
Ellie Anderson before cutting her hair

“It was an amazing gesture from someone so young and her bravery spurred Bill on during chemotherapy on Monday.

“To know that so many people are trying to help makes us feel very humble.

“We would like to thank each and every person for all of their donations, support and kind words.”

Bill’s daughter, Claire Brennan, said the whole family are all ‘so proud’ of Ellie.

“She’s an amazing little girl - she is so brave - we are all so proud of her,” she said.

A children’s Halloween party will be held at the Wheatsheaf in Mollington on Monday, October 31 and a charity night will take place at the Whitby Sports and Social Club, on November 19 to continue to raise funds for Bill.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/GetBillBetter