Stroud hospital worker Margaret Vowles has donated 15-inches of her hair so that a "fabulous" wig can be created from it for children who are undergoing cancer treatment.

Mrs Vowles had waist length hair before she shocked friends and colleagues when she turned up for work at Stroud Maternity Hospital with a bald head following the fundraising challenge.

Mrs Vowles, a hotel domestic at the hospital, lost both her mother and brother to cancer, plus several friends and extended family members.

With having let her hair grow so long, she was determined not to let her hair go to waste, but to give it to a worthwhile charity where it could be made into wigs for those who have lost their own hair.

After approaching the Macmillan Brave the Shave initiative, Mrs Vowles was put in touch with Hereford-based charity, the Little Princess Trust which creates wigs for children with cancer. 

Mrs Vowles approached Alison Birch of AJ's Hairdressers, Westward Road to undertake the big chop. 

"I don’t think I have ever cut such thick hair off before," said Alison who offered to cut Margaret's hair for free.

"Hopefully, the long thick plait that we cut off will make a fabulous wig for somebody," she said, adding, "I think the end result makes her look just as fabulous as she is in person."

Margaret has raised a little over her £300 target, but is hoping to continue to collect donations as people return from the holidays.

"I have never done anything like this before, but I just thought it was a shame and a waste to not do anything with the long hair," she said.

"People have made some very nice comments about it," she said, although she admitted that her husband was not keen at first.

"My husband took a bit of persuading, but he likes the new look, saying it makes me look a lot younger and it shows off my face better," she chuckled.

"It is an idea for all those who would have long hair and would like to do something worthwhile; Princess Trust can make use hair that does not have more than 50% grey hair." 

To add your support to Margaret's cause, donate via her Macmillan profile page.