Boy, 6, to cut hair for charity in memory of aunt

Six-year-old Reuben came up with the idea of fundraising and cutting his hair on his own

A six-year-old boy who lost his aunt to cancer will have his long hair cut on Christmas Day to provide a wig for children with the disease.

Reuben, from Southwold, Suffolk, has been growing his hair since 2021, but decided this year he was ready for a cut.

He lost his aunt Trudie earlier this year and decided he wanted to donate his hair to Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs of real hair for children with cancer.

Reuben's dad, Arron Digby, said he was "so proud" of his son for coming up with the idea.

"Earlier this year we lost my sister to cancer," Mr Digby explained.

"Due to that, he decided that he'd like to donate his hair to the Little Princess Trust.

"They make wigs for children with cancer and it was something he just felt close to and thought it would be a great idea to show what he can do.

"[Trudie] would be very proud."

The father and son, along with Reuben's mother, Leah Digby, will cut his hair on Wednesday at Southwold beach before the annual Christmas Day swim at 10:30 GMT.

Santa himself has been invited to cut Reuben's locks, which the little boy said was "down to my bottom".

Reuben added he loved his aunt and had asked Santa for a new TV this year.

'Just amazing'

According to Little Princess Trust, it costs an average of £700 to make a wig.

Reuben also set himself this as a fundraising target and has managed to raise £775, with additional donations set to come from the local Rotary club.

"It's just amazing for him to have the idea of doing it and it's unbelievable," Mr Digby continued.

"It's great he's got the opportunity to show other people what can be done and by opening the Christmas Day swim at Southwold as well, it's just great.

"For Reuben, he's only six, and to think of something like this by himself, looking into it with his mum, I'm so proud of him.

"He's even looking now for the next thing he can do. He wants to look at another way of raising money for charity."