“I saw these little girls in hospital on TV, and they had no hair and I felt really sorry for them, so that’s why I decided to grow my hair really long and cut it off for them,” Macey said. 

Since then, she has been growing out her hair to donate to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program for cancer patients who have lost their own hair. Last Friday, Macey’s long locks made the cut. 

A resident of Niangala near Walcha, Macey was visiting family in Inverell and contributed her hair at Salon Expresso. Salon owner Sarah Kennedy was given the ponytail to send in.

The international Pantene program collects and carefully creates hairpieces and wigs for people who lose their hair due to treatment. 

Each free wig takes about six to eight ponytails that are carefully matched and re-coloured.

About 5000 women and men across Australia and New Zealand have donated their ponytails to the program, and hundreds of wigs have been distributed since June of 2013.

Her mother was not surprised at Macey’s altruistic gesture.

“She’s always looking out for friends, and with bullying or anything like that,” she said. 

“I booked an appointment for myself to come in here yesterday, and Macey said, ‘Mum, I think it’s time I get it cut’. We just hope it is helpful to somebody.