Hemel cancer survivor and 4-year-old godson prepare to chop their long locks to support the Hospice of St Francis

A cancer survivor from Hemel Hempstead will be cutting off 40cm of her hair this month to raise money for the Hospice of St Francis.

Emma Rees 41, will be joined by her godson four-year-old Hughie Roberts on Tuesday, May 25, who will also be getting his hair cut for charity - the pair will be donating their hair to The Little Princess Trust.

The Little Princess Trust provides free real hair wigs to children and young people, up to 24 years, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions

Emma was diagnosed with aggressive Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in December 2015.

She said: "I was diagnosed in December 2015, I found a lump just before my 36th birthday.

"I had it removed and went through rounds of chemotherapy, I had a really challenging time through my treatment, spending most of it extremely unwell in hospital, but losing my hair was one of the toughest things for me, as it is a huge part of my identity.

"I've always had long hair, and to lose it was really difficult.

"Although I was really ill, not feeling like me was one of the biggest challenges, the wigs really helped me with that.

"To mark five years since finishing chemotherapy in May 2016, I wanted to give something back to the hospice who really helped me throughout my treatment.

"The hospice was amazing and really helped me, they're not just there for people with end of life care, or terminal illnesses.

"The hospice was there for me at every step, they have a good facility for people going through treatment, they have a day centre, they assisted me with equipment, and they helped with occupational support when I wanted to return to work.

"Cutting my hair is a massive thing for me, and I got talked into it, but I have to go through with it now.

"We've had amazing support and we have already reached the target, so now it's just a case of raising as much as possible.

"The money will be donated to the hospice, and the hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust. I will be getting a bob, I will have about 40cm cut off."

The Hospice Of St Francis in Berkhamsted helps families in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, to live their precious lives well through improving symptoms, achieving personal goals and helping them to feel safe.

Emma and Hughie set a target of raising £500 for the hospice, they have already smashed their target and have already raised £1,495 on their fundraising page.

Hughie's mum, Emma, said: "I mentioned doing something to raise money and celebrate five years since her chemotherapy to Emma and she said that she had been thinking about doing something for a while.

"We wanted to support her with this, so Hughie will be getting his hair cut, you have to donate between 20 and 30cm I think, for them to be able to make a wig, so he will have just enough if he has a short, back and sides."