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A schoolboy has spent 18 months growing his hair - so he can donate it to be made into wigs for children suffering from cancer.

Josh Scott-Hill, 11, says he has been teased and called a “girl” as he has grown his hair to below his shoulders but that hasn’t stopped him and he has raised more than £1,000 for charity.

And when he has his hair cut this month, he will donate it to the Little Princess Trust which makes wigs for children with cancer.

Josh, of Llanelli, said: “During the time I have been growing my hair I have been teased and mistaken for a girl so many times I’ve lost count.

“There was only one time I got really upset, but luckily my friends are very supportive as are my family.”

Mum Sam Scott said she was very proud of her son - who will have his hair cut on July 15.

Sam, 35, said: “My friend has had cancer and she lost her hair and Josh asked: ‘Where have your eyebrows gone?’

“When we walked away he said: ‘Mammy I want to grow my hair for people less fortunate.’”

Sam, whose friend has now been given the all-clear, says Josh has learnt how to brush off mean comments.

The mum-of-one said: “He gets mistaken for a girl all the time, he does have quite a pretty face, and he has to tell people: ‘Yes, I am a boy.’

“He does get teased and the time when he was playing football he got really upset.

“After the game Josh came to me and said that they were making fun of him but I told him to remember what he is doing it for.

“He just brushes it off now and if anything it just made him more determined than ever.”

The £1,000 which Josh has raised will go to Maggie’s in Swansea which provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends.

Josh added: “I hope other children will realise they can do it too.”