A 10 YEAR-OLD Hale girl who was moved by the plight of children with cancer in Israel has raised thousands of pounds by having her hair cut.

Ilana Steinberg, from Bollinway, bravely sat in front of 150 pupils at her school assembly on Tuesday (February 1) while her mum Ginni lopped off her 25cm long plait.

She had been growing her hair for 18 months to get it long enough to be cut to make into a wig for a child who had lost their hair after being inspired by a visit to a cancer charity in Israel.

Ilana, a pupil at North Cheshire Jewish Primary School in Heald Green, and her family went to Zichron Menachem in Jerusalem, a centre for sick children who are unable to go to school, while they were on a family holiday visiting relatives in Israel.

The charity runs activities and programs for cancer sufferers including adventure camps, birthday parties, sports and art therapy, drama classes and holiday clubs.

Gini, 44, said Ilana had been very moved by the visit and came up with the idea to cut her own hair to help.

“I think that because it was a children’s charity that made it more moving for her.

“She met some of the children and by seeing them suffering she was imagining that could have been her,” she said.

Ilana has raised more than £4,000 towards her target of £5,000.

She said: “However short I cut my hair - it will always grow back, but that is not the case for everyone.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/Ilana-Steinberg.