A Harrow mum has cut her flowing locks to raise money for two special children’s charities.

Diagnosed with an incredibly rare genetic disorder at six months, four-year-old George Reed is the only person in the world with his particular chromosome duplication. His disorder is so rare it does not even have a name.

George has many complex disabilities, including autism, global development delay, and hypotonia, making him similar in development to a six-month-old baby.

Mum Anita Reed says it was clear early on that George was not developing as quickly as his twin brother.

He is also partially sighted and hearing impaired, but Anita says this does not dampen his love of life.

“He is a gorgeous, happy little boy that melts the hearts of everyone he meets with his infectious giggle,” she said.

Through cutting off around a foot of her hair, Anita initially wanted to raise £250 for the charity Tree of Hope, which helps families of sick children, but she quickly smashed that target, raising more than £1,000.

She has now revised her target to a “very ambitious” £8,500 which she hopes to raise by the end of the year.

The donated hair will go to the Little Princess Trust - a charity which makes wigs for children who lose their hair through cancer treatment.

“I’ve had long hair for as long as I can remember and my four-year-old boys have only ever known me with my mad, long hair,” says Anita.

“But I was willing to cut it off if it would make a difference to George and help another child who has lost their hair.”

George learned to sit up when he was three, and is now working on standing, although Anita admits progress is slow.

“We have a saying: everything happens in George time, when George is ready, and after lots of determination and practice,” she said.

Although George cannot yet crawl or walk, he manages to get around well by rolling. He also has a supportive chair so he can join in with family activities but it is very large and cumbersome, meaning he is restricted to one room for most of the day.

The family do their best to make sure he is included by picking him up but this is becoming more and more difficult as he gets bigger.

So George can join in more, the family wants to raise enough money to make changes to the house to give him more freedom, and Tree of Hope is helping them in their endeavours.

To make a donation, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/AnitasCharityHaircut