A GILSTEAD schoolgirl’s new look locks will benefit a baby appeal at a Bradford hospital.

Eva Bell, 12, is raising money for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity’s Big Neonatal Appeal by having her long locks cut.

The appeal aims to raise more than £1 million to create extended accommodation for parents to stay close to their babies at Bradford Royal Infirmary neonatal unit.

Eva, a pupil of Beckfoot School in Bingley, was inspired to fundraise for the unit after it cared for twins born to family friends, Ben and Anna Grange. The siblings, Monte and Lottie, now aged three, were born prematurely at just 24 weeks in December 2017.

Eva said: “When the twins were born, they were in hospital for a long time so lots of friends including my mum, wanted to help Ben and Anna and the twins’ big sister, Elsie by cooking meals. They set up a ‘kindness table.’ I saw what they were doing and asked if I could do something to help.

“I have been growing my hair now for three years so that I could have it cut off and raise money for the neonatal unit. Lots of babies are born prematurely and I just wanted to say thank you to the people who look after them.”

Eva’s transformation, which will see 16 inches o her hair cut off and bobbed, will take place this Friday at 3.45pm at The Hair Studio, Cullingworth, thanks to family friend and hairdresser, Steph Greaves.

Eva revealed that the cut-off, long locks will not be going to waste. She will donate her hair to The Little Princess Trust, which provides free real hair wigs to children and young people, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

“I’m a bit excited but I’m a bit nervous too but when I get nervous, I just tell myself that other children need my hair more than I do."

She added that she cannot wait for further restrictions to be lifted so she can see the twins and play with them.

Eva’s mum, Amy said: “Eva has never really had her cut apart from the ends trimming, since she was a baby. In fact when she was little she used to say she was Rapunzel and would lose all her magic powers, if she had it cut! I am so proud of her.”

Dad of the twins, Ben said: “This is a wonderful gesture from Eva and very humbling. It is a super-brave and selfless thing to do. We have known Eva since she was born and she really is a lovely girl. I just can’t speak highly enough of her. It’s hard to put into words just how touched we have been by the kindness and support shown to us from the beginning when Monte and Lottie were born.”

To sponsor Eva, visit justgiving.com/team/Eva