An eight-year-old boy from Weymouth is to have his long hair cut for a special fundraiser in honour of his grandad.

Archie Ritchie has been growing his hair since October 2022 after his world was turned upside down when his grandad Stuart died from cancer of the spine.

Archie faced a difficult year as his sister Olivia fell ill and had to be admitted to hospital and his dad was involved in a car crash three months before the loss of his grandad.

Archie Ritchie with his grandad StuartArchie Ritchie with his grandad Stuart (Image: Ian Ritchie)

In his grandad's memory, Archie decided to grow out his hair - which has now reached 16 inches - and donate part of it to the Little Princess Trust.

The charity makes real hair wigs, free of charge, for children and young people who have lost their hair during cancer treatment or due to other conditions such as alopecia.

Archie's current hair length is 16 inchesArchie's current hair length is 16 inches (Image: Ian Ritchie)

Archie used to go to Holy Trinity C of E Primary School but has been home-schooled since January.  

His father Ian said: "He was so close to his grandad and he wanted to do something in memory of him.

"He got hit with it all quite badly in quite a short space of time. His sister was critically ill and I was involved in a car accident. Then his grandad passed away, he was quite taken back by it all and used to cry every day when he went into school."

Archie Ritchie and his grandad Stuart and dad IanArchie Ritchie and his grandad Stuart and dad Ian (Image: Ian Ritchie)

“He came up with the idea all himself and is trying to raise at least £700 to make up the wigs.

“I’m really proud of him. It was my dad who passed away and it was quite touching he felt so strongly that he wanted to do something like this."

So far Archie has raised £440 and if he surpasses his target, he would like to get a remembrance item for his grandad at Wessex Football Club.

Ian added: “My dad was really into football. He went to watch his grandkids every time they were playing.

"Archie's grief for his grandad continues but doing this is something for him to focus on."

You can donate to Archie's fundraiser on the Justgiving website: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donating-archies-curly-locks