WHEN a 12-year-old Warwick girl asked her parents whether she could cut off her long locks to help children who have lost their own, they admit they asked her to think twice.

But Rosie-May Proudlove was determined, especially after watching her own late sister lose her hair while undergoing cancer treatment.

Her sister, Matilda Proudlove, sadly lost her battle with ATRT, a rare brain and spine cancer, at just two years old.

Rosie-May said the act of kindness was for her sister.

"I've seen my little sister lose her hair through chemotherapy. Any hair that grows just keeps falling out,” she said.

"Mine just keeps on growing so I just want to do something useful with it to help another boy or girl.”

Rosie-May chose to donate the hair to Hair with a Heart, a charity that makes hair into wigs for children who have lost their hair through medical conditions.

"I chose Hair with a Heart because the hair goes to children my age and when you're my age you worry more what you look like,” she said.

Hairdresser Sarah Flint from Hair Together & True Beauty performed the big chop and was so moved by the gesture she paid for the appointment.

"I have a daughter who's nearly two and it really hit me to think something so cruel could hurt her and take her away from me,” she said.

Rosie-May was nervous at first, but was happy when she saw the finished cut.

Miss Flint said not many girls of Rosie-May's age would have the courage to cut off their hair.

"It's such a good message that we can help people to feel better about themselves to go through such tough times,” she said.

"I'm so proud of her that she's done it and I'm sure everyone around her and her parents and her sister would be so proud that she's helping other people.”

Rosie-May's mother Millie Proudlove said she was proud of everything her children did, whether the gesture was big or small.

Seeing children in Matilda's ward also lose their hair inspired her daughter to do her bit, she said.

"What was so lovely was this was her idea and it came from her heart,” she said.

"We were the ones questioning her and she was the one showing determination and compassion for others.”

Memorial bench in memory of Matilda

YESTERDAY was the second anniversary of the passing of Matilda Proudlove and memorial benches were placed in Warwick just in time.

Matilda passed away after being referred to Lady Cilento Children's Hospital where multiple tumours were discovered in her brain and spine.

They did not respond to chemotherapy because they were too large.

A Facebook group called August 2013 mums donated a bench in Matilda's memory.

On Tuesday, a bench was placed at Jackie Howe Park and Leslie Park after a year of hard work.

Mrs Proudlove said the bench in Leslie Park sits in front of the swings where the family used to play.

"She loved the swings so the council were very amenable about where we would like it where it would be most memorable for Matilda,” she said.

"It's a memory of all the good times we shared at the park, that's what it represents to us.”

Matt Walker from Go Off Concreting also donated time and resources to installing the bench in Jackie Howe Park.

Mrs Proudlove said she felt blessed by the people in the Warwick community.

"We are very grateful to Matt Walker and his team, as well as David Webster from the council who has worked tirelessly to help us gain permission for the benches,” she said.

"Matilda would have been starting Scots prep this year so it's a particularly difficult anniversary.

"Watching her friends grow up is beautiful but shows us what we are missing.”

Matilda's father David Proudlove said he was very grateful the benches were installed in time for the anniversary.

"Matilda was a fun and energetic, loving little girl and we miss her dearly,” he said.

"However, as parents of child loss we are trying to teach Matilda's brother and sister to quietly fulfil that loss with love for others each day.”