YOUNG teacher Sue Legge cannot speak highly enough of the young ‘princess’ who inspired a new charity.

Five-year-old Hannah Tarplee was taught by Sue at Hereford Cathedral Junior School for just seven weeks before the youngster spent time away from lessons while undergoing treatment for cancer.

The brave girl sadly died in 2005, prompting her parents, Wendy and Simon Tarplee, to launch the Little Princess Trust, a charity providing wigs and hair pieces to children who have suffered hair loss due to cancer treatment.

“Hannah enjoyed school so much,”

said Sue, who still teaches at the school.

“She was keen and eager and loved books. When she began missing school because of the treatment she was desperate to come back.”

When Hannah died, Sue said she wanted to do something to help the family and duly became one of the trust’s first patrons.

The role involves a monthly donation to the charity to help fund its work.

“It’s a very effective way of being involved with the trust and means you can support them each month,” she said. “It makes you feel as though you are doing your bit to help out.”

Trust chairman Tim Lowe said the charity has around 50 patrons, each giving at least £1 a month to the cause, ensuring a continual income.

Anyone interested in becoming a patron can find out more by visiting littleprincesses.

org.uk and clicking on the ‘Donate’ section.

■ Meanwhile, Fred Flintstone and Homer Simpson have helped raise more than £100 for the charity.

Residents in Preston-on-Wye dressed up as stars of stage and screen for a fund-raising party.

It was organised by friends Melanie Hodgson, Aimee Parry and Joanna Burston who have just left Kingstone High School.

The girls say they hope to do a further trust fundraiser in the near future.

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

Anyone planning fund-raising activities can let us know what they are doing by calling 01432 845884.