TWO Wellow girls who have lost family members to cancer are to say so long to their long locks.

Twelve-year-olds Anya Cantrell and May Smith, both pupils at Mountbatten School, are to have their hair cut short in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support at Hair Review in West Wellow on October 30.

The date has special significance for Anya as it will be 12 years to the day since her father died.

Anya said: “My dad Matthew died from oesophageal cancer, he was 34 and it is very rare for someone as young to get this cancer.”

Her granddad Gerry Simmons also died from cancer and an uncle of May’s was also a victim of the disease.

Anya who was three months old when her dad died added: “We are going to send off our hair to the Little Princess Trust to be made into wigs for children who have no hair due to cancer treatment.

“I did this three years ago and raised £360 for the Little Princess Trust and have been growing my hair since so I can do this again,” said Anya “We decided to raise money for Macmillan Cancer support because cancer hurts so many people, not only the person who has cancer but those around them and Macmillan helps everyone,” said Anya.

Anya has taken part in various cancer fund-raisers including the Race for Life and the Moonwalk.

Anya’s proud mum, Korinne Meldrum, said: For Anya and May to cut their hair off is a selfless and brave act – especially in an age when image is so important, but they both say, their hair will grow back quickly, unlike a child who is going through chemo. Anya has no memories of Matthew as she was so tiny when he died but we talk about him all the time with her and her older brother Ross and this is a lovely way to honour him. Cancer has devastated our family and Macmillan is a charity dear to our hearts so I am pleased they decided to raise money for this charity.”

To sponsor the girls log onto justgiving.com/amma.