REDRUTH sisters Fiona Thomas and Rachel George are sporting new hairstyles in a sponsored cut which raised just over £400 for the Ella's Memory appeal and Penhaligon's Friends.

The pair decided to have the 'chop' as a way of giving something back to two charities which have touched both their lives.

The family has suffered the loss of a newborn child on several occasions and was recently supported by Penhaligon's Friends to help their children overcome the death of a brother and uncle.

Mother of five Fiona is also donating her hair, which has not been cut for 17 years, to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for youngsters being treated for cancer.

"I loved my hair, it used to go past my bottom. It was a big part of who I am, but I wanted to do something personal for both charities," said Fiona, who had her long locks cut at Blades in Truro last Tuesday afternoon.

"My sister lost her baby, which was stillborn, and my niece recently lost her child which was also stillborn. I have seen how devastating it can be and as a mother of five children I know how precious they are," she said.

Fiona, who runs a burger van business based at St Day and has been battling with ill health, has vowed to continue collecting donations, including £50 from the Orchard Scrapyard, for both charities until the end of the month when they hope to have reached their target of £500.

For anyone wishing to donate you can go to the website: www.justgiving.com/Rachel-George-And-Fiona-Thomas