Milly Cooper (19), Gap student at St Martin’s Ampleforth School, has been growing her hair continuously since she was about nine years old and has always planned that the final cut would be to raise money for a good cause. Arriving in England in January 2010, and being introduced to the school charity, ‘Mary’s Meals’, determined Milly to finish her year here by donating her metre of hair to that extremely worthwhile cause.

The Headmaster, Mr Nicholas Higham, decided that he would like to do the ‘chopping’ but, despite his lesson in hairdressing, he found it hard cutting through the pony tail and Milly’s face told the tale as she heard the hacking sounds he was making. Parent Gillian Robson (of Andre Marcus Professional Salon, Easingwold) was then kind enough to whisk Milly away to ‘tidy up’ Mr Higham’s handiwork and produce a proper style.

Milly is delighted to have raised over £1,000 and the hair itself will be going to a wig maker specialising in hair pieces for cancer patients. If you would still like to donate and reward Milly for her effort, please don’t hesitate to contact the school with your pledge.

Contact Mrs Lynne Harrison at St Martin’s Ampleforth, Gilling Castle, Gilling East, York YO62 4HP, phone 01439,766600 or email ynn@stmartins.ampleforth.org.uk