Abbey short and sweet

When Abbey Dingle was a fairytale loving toddler, she told her mum she wanted "Rapunzel hair".

So when, aged seven, the little girl - whose long blonde locks had by now earned her the nickname "Abbey with the long hair" - asked for her hair to be cut off, her mother Mim and her school-friends were shocked.

Ms Dingle said the family had been watching a documentary on children who had lost their hair during cancer treatment shortly before Abbey asked for the cut.

For the Serpentine youngster, help for children who had lost their hair was as easy as offering some of hers.

Ms Dingle said she had been touched by her daughter's thoughtful gesture.

This week, Abbey sat grinning in front of more than 200 fellow students at Serpentine Primary School and the 85cm locks were cut into a short chin-length bob.

Perth wigmaker George Thompson will use Abbey's hair to help young cancer patients or alopecia sufferers.

Abbey has also raised more than $2500 for Ronald McDonald House, to help the families of children with serious illnesses.