A TEENAGER was pleased as punch when she raised more than £3,000 by cutting her hair for a cancer charity — which included a donation from a world champion boxer.

Jessica Swain, aged 14, of Derwent Avenue, Whitefield, had her head shaved on December 13 in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, which aims to improve the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer.

Jessica has raised nearly £3,100, including the £250 donation from Scott Quigg, who is the WBA super bantamweight champion.

Jessica, a pupil at Parrenthorn High in Prestwich, lost her locks in front of the school’s staff and 400 pupils.

Her headshave, which was performed by a professional hairdresser, was also featured on Capital Radio and TV’s North West Tonight.

Jessica donated her hair to The Little Princess Trust to make a wig for a young child that has lost their hair through cancer treatment.

She has beaten her JustGiving target by more than £1,000 and says she was “overwhelmed” by the response. Jessica said: “I never thought I would raise this much. I want to thank everybody who donated and came to watch my head shave. Without them, there would be no point in doing it.

“Scott’s donation was very generous. When I heard he wanted to meet me, it was a strange situation as I had never had anything like that before.

“He was a really nice down-to-earth person and it was great to have him there supporting me.”

Jessica added: “Teenage Cancer Trust is small and not many people know about it, so I wanted to highlight the good work that they do.

“What I have done is nothing. I haven’t gone through what so many other teenagers have gone through, I’m lucky. But I just hope that what I have done will make a difference to someone.”

Her mother Louise Donahue said: “Jessica is a wonderful person — she’s always thinking about others. She’s such a credit to me and the whole family. Everyone has been so lovely to her — they’ve patted her on the back and given her lots of encouragement.”

As a result of her fundraising venture, Jessica has been chosen to start this year’s Prestwich Carnival Parade.

To donate towards Jessica’s headshave, visit justgiving.com/ jessgoesbald.