A LONGTIME dreadlock wearer will shear her mane to raise cash for children suffering from abuse.

Emma Robinson, a 20-year-old student at Glasgow University, has kept her natty locks since she was 13 and will cut them off to raise funds for the NSPCC.

She was moved to cut her dreadlocks off after learning of the impact the pandemic has had on the mental health of children, especially those who suffer in abusive households.

The philosophy student has been deliberating “for months” about the step said she found it hard to remember a life before having dreads.

She added: “I’m doing it knowing that every pound raised could help save a child from an abusive household and set them up for a fulfilled future.

“With suicide rates in young people rapidly rising, it is essential we help out these children in any way we can and sometimes a call to a helpline such as Childline can be all it takes to save a young life.”

The NSPCC has reported many children coming forward with new feelings of anxiety and depression and others have contacted Childline to speak about how the pandemic and lockdown has intensified the abuse they suffer, by being forced to spend more time in unsafe households.

The charity said it would not be able to support children as it does “without supporters like Emma”.

Jen Lindsay, the community fundraising manager for the charity said: “The money raised for our charity helps fund NSPCC helplines and frontline services, which we are continuing to adapt to support children and their families in Scotland through our direct services and free ‘Speak Out. Stay Safe’ assemblies.”

The Speak Out assemblies aim to teach children about the service provided by Childline, how to recognise different forms of abuse and how to speak out.

Emma will be shaving her locks off on Thursday, December 1. You can donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/headshave-emma