Meet the 'selfless' six-year-old who is cutting off her long hair for children with cancer

'They can have mine' were the bold words of a six-year-old girl who is cutting off her long locks for children with cancer. Rhiya Patel from Billesley will be cutting off her hair for Little Princess Trust, who provide real hair wigs for children and young people with cancer.

The schoolgirl who loves singing and dancing found out about children with cancer, but questioned her parents about the hair loss. After they answered her, she boldly offered to donate hers.

Since August Rhiya has raised over £1,000 and will be cutting 30cm of her hair, which reaches her lower back at 19 inches, on November 14. Father Ravin always encouraged her philanthropy, but even he was surprised by her decision.

Read more:Tom Wagner gives new stadium latest as Birmingham City make Sports Quarter promise

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

Ravin Patel, 36, HSBC Teams Manager, said: "She found out online about girls with no hair who needed wigs because of cancer. She asked us why they needed it and we explained, some people have illness or health issues.

"She has long hair and just said 'they can have mine'. We tried to make sure she was comfortable but she was so committed, her hair reaches her lower back and we have never had reason to cut it.

"We shared the fundraising link with friends and family and she raised over £1,000 over the past two months. She is really excited and looking forward to her new look, we think it will give her a new, mature look.

"She loves singing and dancing to Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Justin Bieber. She is so selfless and will do anything to help others.

"She shares her toys with her younger brothers and once gave a toy to a friend at school. We were decluttering toys at home and she packed some for a charity.

"We have always tried to explain privilege to her and how lucky we are to have a bed and home. I am also a life coach and try to help others but I didn't expect her to do this.

"I am so proud of her and excited for the future of her selfless acts."

One comment on her JustGiving page read: 'Rhiya, our little superstar! We are so proud to support you doing something so amazing for such a fantastic cause! You should be so proud of yourself!'

Another said: 'How adorable. Well done Rhiya for this worthy cause. A very selfless thing to do. You will bring happiness to a poorly child.'