Duchess of Cambridge hair donation news welcomed

A charity that provides wigs for young people who lose hair during cancer treatment believes it has received a donation from the Duchess of Cambridge.

The Little Princess Trust, based in Hereford, said it learned about the donation from a newspaper on Friday and was "delighted".

Manager Monica Glass said she hoped the duchess's action would inspire other people to donate.

Kensington Palace said it could not comment.

But a spokesperson said: "The duchess supports several children's charities."

It is not clear how much hair the duchess might have donated.

But the charity specifies it accepts minimum donations of 7in-12in (17cm-30cm) of "good-condition hair".

The duchess, who is expecting her third child in April, was seen sporting a shorter style last summer.

The charity said her apparent donation was made anonymously. Hair from different donors is blended to make wigs.

Ms Glass said: 'We are so very grateful to every single person who kindly supports the charity in this way.

"As the Duchess of Cambridge is so much in the public eye, we hope the message that the charity can help children and young people with hair loss will reach everyone who might need our assistance."

The charity helps those with cancer - up to the age of 24 - with as many wigs as necessary for the duration of their treatment and hair loss.

It was set up in 2006 in memory of Hannah Tarplee, a Hereford girl who died in 2005, and has given away more than 5,500 wigs since.

"Receiving a free, real-hair wig has a very positive impact on a child or young adult at such a difficult time," said Ms Glass.