WHEN Ruth Lee of Sylvan Avenue, Sale, was diagnosed with a brain tumour, her daughter, Catherine. 17, decided to sacrifice her waist long locks in aid of Brain Tumour Research.

The Altrincham College of Art student visited Sand Hairdressing in Marsland Road for the big cut on February 16.

Catherine has given the hair itself to the Little Princess Trust to make wigs for child cancer sufferers.

Ruth, 50, of Sylvan Avenue, Sale, had a seizure one night, but her doctor said it was caused by vivid dreams.

A teacher at Holy Family School in Sale Moor, she returned to work and attended two parents evenings. After the second, she suffered another night time seizure.

“My husband, Chris, thinking it was caused by a dream, threw water at me but I didn’t wake up.”

After another one the following morning, he took her to Wythenshawe Hospital.

A scan indicated that she had lesions on the brain but after a full body scan and a biopsy at Salford Royal Infirmary she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

After six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she feels better.

“Next week they are doing one week of chemo and then three weeks off. I am worried.”

Catherine was only five when she last had her hair cut.

She said: “My best friend, Ayesha is away but I’ll send her a picture so she’s the first to see it.”

She hopes her brothers, Tom, 20 and Robbie,18, will like it.

She has already raised £1,600 for the charity and would like readers to add to it.

Hannah Barr, 26, who cut Catherine’s hair, decided to plait it and then chop it off. She said: “I think she is amazing and brave.”

Philip Isherwood, the salon’s manager said: “I think it is an admirable thing to do.”

• Send donations to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/CatherineLee02