A Kidderminster schoolgirl has been named charity champion of the week by Birmingham Children’s Hospital after she had 25 inches of her hair chopped off to raise money.

Tazmin Clarke, 12, of Bewdley School, raised more than £550 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit after she read about two-year-old Charlie Harris-Beard, who lost his fight against cancer in February.

Tazmin, of Kidderminster, said: “Charlie was a local hero and I want his legacy to live on. He and his family were such an inspiration and all of Kidderminster is saddened by his loss.”

Tazmin raised the money by asking her family and school friends for sponsors.

She added: “It was so easy for me to grow my hair and I thought that if it could make a poorly child’s life even a little better it was well worth having it cut off.

“It’s strange brushing just the top of my head now and it will take me a little while to get used to my new reflection, but I’m so pleased to be able to help Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

Tazmin is also donating her hair to make a wig for children who are undergoing cancer treatment.

Louise McCathie, head of fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “We are so grateful to Tazmin, her family, friends and her school for their support.

“She has done an incredibly selfless thing, which will improve the lives of all our children in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. The money will be given directly to the unit to spend on development of the ward.”

To donate visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/tazminclarke1