Ten-year-old Kayla McGinty was inspired to get her haircut by the tough fight put up by her grandfather, PJ Grant, against Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

The Donegal Town man passed away in 2018 and Kayla has been growing her hair since with the goal of donating it to the Rapunzel Foundation.

A charity organisation, Rapunzel works to improve the lives of those living with hair loss. As well as fundraising, the charity ‘hair raises’ with people committing to grow their hair 14 inches or longer with a view to it being sent to make wigs.

To coincide with Monday’s haircut, Kayla’s mum Alida has set up a Go Fund Me page, donations from which will also go to Rapunzel Foundation.

“When my dad was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia he was losing his hair due to the chemotherapy,” said Alida.

“Kayla was there when I shaved dad’s head and we started talking about the treatment and about hair loss in general. I explained to her that children can get cancer too and when we started looking into it, we came across the Rapunzel Foundation.”

Three and a half years later and Kayla’s hair has grown beyond the required 14 inches. And while she will hand her locks over to the charity, at least £525 – money already donated via Go Fund Me – will also be going to the Foundation.

“It has been tough for Kayla because she was very close to her grandfather,” said mum Alida.

“We’re very proud of her because getting her haircut is a big thing for her. But she’s excited and looking forward to it.”

To make a donation go to www.gofundme.com and search for ‘Help Kayla to raise funds for Cancer’.