WHEN Heidi Barrington’s young daughter developed a lump on her neck, she took her to the family doctor.

It was a decision that saved the eight-year-old’s life.

Waiting just a fortnight longer and she wouldn’t have survived.

Brave Samantha had a tumour which was pushing against her windpipe and was later diagnosed as non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“We were very shocked to hear the news; you don’t imagine it could happen to a child,” said Heidi, who lives with her daughter in Withington.

“Doctors told us that had we left it another couple of weeks it would have been too late.

“We were obviously in a state of shock but you just have to get on with it.”

Visits to Birmingham Children’s Hospital became the norm for Sam, followed by chemotherapy.

One of the side effects of treatment was hair loss, but a solution was not far off.

About a month after diagnosis – in April 2007 – someone at Sam’s school, Lord Scudamore, handed Heidi a leaflet for the Little Princess Trust.

The pair then travelled to a hair specialist in Birmingham who explained how, through the Hereford-based trust, a wig reflecting her natural hair, colour and style could be made for her.

“When it arrived, it made me feel as though I was back to normal,” said Sam, who is now 10.

“My friends at school all thought my hair had grown back.”

Heidi says the hair loss was the worst part of the treatment for her daughter, something the trust fully understands.

It was set up in memory of Hereford Cathedral Junior School pupil Hannah Tarplee, who died in 2005 at the age of just five having suffered from cancer.

The trust now provides wigs and hair pieces for children who have suffered hair loss due to cancer treatment.

“Sam loved the wig she received from the trust and I would certainly recommend the charity to anyone in the same situation,” said Heidi.

Thankfully, Sam is now in remission and her own hair has grown back.

Throughout her illness she has been keen to keep up her attendance with the 22nd Hereford Guide Company and last year received a Star of Merit award for her dedication and courage.

As a sign of her gratitude to the Little Princess Trust, she r e c e n t l y held a party for almost 100 family and friends asking for trust donations instead of presents. She collected £400.

“She seems to have taken everything in her stride and is an inspiration to us all,” said her mum.

“I certainly don’t think I would have coped as well.”

■ The Hereford Times is running a campaign aimed at helping the Little Princess Trust raise £130,000 to create a store of wigs ready to answer an appeal for help within seven days.

To contact the charity, phone 0845 094 4509.

Donations can be sent by cheque to Little Princess Trust, 28 Castle Street, Hereford, HR1 2NW.

Hereford branches of Natwest are housing payingin books or money can be donated by following links to the Just Giving site via little princesses.org.uk.

Anyone planning any fundraising activities for the trust can let us know what they are doing by calling 01432 845884.

LITTLE PRINCESS TRUST FACTFILE:

■ Provides wigs and hairpieces for children who have suffered hair loss as a result of cancer treatment and other illnesses

■ Has helped close to 250 children across the UK

■ Wigs are custom made, mainly in the USA and China, using real hair partly supplied by the charity

■ Has no paid committee with the charity formed by volunteers

■ Needs £130,000 to create a store of wigs allowing a cut in the current eight-week wait

■ The charity can be contacted on 0845 094 4509 or via email to info@littleprincesses.org.uk

■ Donations can be made via cheque, to Little Princess Trust, 28 Castle Street, Hereford HR1 2NW.

Hereford branches of NatWest will host paying-in books. Donations can also be given by following Just Giving links at littleprincesses.org.uk