North Wootton Brownie Callie McCrea awarded Hero Award for Guiding after donating 12 inches of hair and raising more than £2,000 for the Little Princess Trust

A West Norfolk youngster was recognised for her efforts in raising more than £2,000 for a children’s charity.

Last summer, Callie McCrea, nine, made the decision to donate 12 inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust- which makes wigs for young people experiencing hair loss while undergoing cancer treatments.

As well as donating her hair, Callie also raised a total of £2,382 for the charity, putting her in the top 5% of all JustGiving fundraisers for the Little Princess Trust.

Now, Callie, a Brownie at the North Wootton unit, has been given the Hero Award for Guiding, a rare award which needs to be applied for. Before Callie received the award, it went before a panel at a county level and then at the UK headquarters.

It has been awarded by the chief guide, chief commissioner and Norfolk county commissioner. Callie received her award on Monday evening.

Callie was inspired to do something for charity after losing her grandad, great-grandmother and uncle to cancer.

Callie’s mum, Jemma McCrea, who is also a Brownie leader at the unit, said: “Callie didn't even realise the award was for her right at the very end of my speech.

“She has since lost her grandad Alex to cancer at the end of last year, she was with him a few days before he passed away which was sudden and took us all by surprise.

“Her great-aunt is now due to ring the bell for surviving breast cancer.”

As well as her certificate, Callie was awarded a shining star and a thank you badge while surrounded by her guiding friends, mum and Brown Owl Vicki Fletcher, who is Caddie’s grandmother.

Jemma added: “Her guiding family supported her fundraising journey, as did many local businesses and the church in the Woottons.

“Our young leaders, Harriet and Jess, heard her story for the first time and said she is inspirational to go through that much and find something so positive.

“My husband and I are so proud of our daughter for being so strong and in the space of four weeks worked so hard to raise enough money to make two wigs and spend on research.

“Both of our employers, Barclays Bank and BT Openreach have supported the fundraising efforts.

“Her school, St Martha's was instrumental in hosting the hair-cutting event and the parents bringing in cakes and buying raffle tickets. My craft business Mem's Craft Barn, donated all of its profits made on the day too.”

On Monday evening, several other awards were handed out to brownies, including five gold awards - the highest award a brownie can achieve.