THE nieces of a woman who persuaded Robbie Williams to join the bone marrow donor register before losing her battle with cancer have donated inches of their hair in her honour.

Mollie and Bella never met their aunt Johanna MacVicar, who passed away in 2005 after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia 11 years earlier, when she was just 16-years-old.

But, the pair, from Erskine, were inspired to raise awareness of the disease and drum up funds for the charity set up in honour of the 27-year-old, Rainbow Valley, by chopping of 14 inches of their hair for The Little Princess Trust.

Mollie, 9, said:“I never got to meet my auntie Jo, but my mummy tells me stories all of the time.

Read more:

Thousands take to streets for Glasgow's annual Race for Life

“I know that my auntie Jo was very brave and I want to do something special.

“I love my long hair but if I can help someone and make them feel a bit better while raising money for Rainbow Valley then it will make me happy.”

Mollie and eight-year-old Bella – as well as their pal Sophie, 8 – visited Smith & Smith salon in Erskine on Friday to face the chop in memory of their aunt.

The charity will use the girls’ hair to provide free real-hair wigs to children and young people, up to 24-years-old, who have lost their own through cancer treatment or other conditions.

Susan Smith at Smith & Smith said: “As an old friend of Johanna and the MacVicar Family, I am honoured to help out her nieces with their fundraising and hair donation.

“It’s amazing that 14 years after Johanna’s death the newest generation of her family are still pursuing her vision through Rainbow Valley and not only that – they are helping other charities too.”

Johanna believed that diet, stress, exercise and complementary therapies all influenced her health and quality of life while living with cancer.

Read more:

Man dies in 'suspicious' death in Motherwell

Rainbow Valley now strives to make Johanna’s vision a reality for people living with the disease, with residential courses designed to ­complement medical treatment.

As the only charity in Scotland providing this service, Rainbow Valley recognises that the mind, body, spirit, and emotions are all closely connected and work together to support the immune system and its ability to aid in recovery. The charity aims to get attendees taking back control, leading positive lifestyles with courses on everything from exercise and nutrition, stress management, mindfulness and meditation.

The courses are free to attend for anyone with a cancer diagnosis along with a supporter and the girls are hoping their activity will raise money to support these courses, which rely on donations in order to run.

Johanna’s mum Angela MacVicar, chair of Rainbow Valley said: “Johanna would have loved her nieces and nephew so much and knowing her death has influenced them to do something that has such a positive impact is incredible.

“I am extremely proud two charities will benefit from them donating their hair. Additionally, their activity has led Bella’s best friend Sophie to join in – what an incredible way to involve children in making a difference to those less fortunate and I hope it encourages others to do the same.”

Read more of today's top Glasgow stories

To donate visit

here

.