CRICKHOWELL pupil Gracie Kingdon got a helping hand from two celebrities when she had her long, flowing locks cut off to raise money for a charity that makes real-hair wigs for sick children.

Gracie, who had 31 inches cut off during her school assembly for the Little Princess Trust, has so far raised £580.55.

Her mum Claire said the fundraising really took off after former Welsh wing Shane Williams retweeted the link on her JustGiving page.

And Gracie was then over the moon when Shane Filon from Westlife heard about her story and invited her to meet him at Swansea Grand Theatre during the second leg of his ‘Love Always’ tour on May 14.

Shane also kindly donated a signed T-shirt for Gracie to auction to help her fundraising effort.

Gracie, aged 7, goes to Crickhowell Primary School and it was there on May 21 that she had her hair trimmed by stylist Ceri Bayliss in front of all her school friends and teachers.

The Little Princess Trust makes wigs out of real hair for children who have lost theirs to cancer treatment.

Mum Claire said: “She is a little super star, everyone’s so proud of her.”

Donations in support of Gracie can be made at Petals florist and Askew’s Bakery in Crickhowell where there are charity boxes or by visiting her JustGiving page.