A FARNHAM mum has raised more than £760 for the Cri du Chat Syndrome Support Group and children’s hospice charity Shooting Star Chase, by waving goodbye to her hair.

Katie Steele rose to the challenge with her daughter Isabella at the forefront of her mind.

Brought into the world on March 31, 2016, to Katie and William Richards, Isabella was diagnosed with a very rare chromosome deletion syndrome, Cri du Chat, a condition that slows down her development, leaving her unable to crawl or walk.

There is currently no cure or treatment for condition, which affects around one in 50,000 babies a year.

“I definitely can’t take all the credit. All I did was shave off my hair, it was everyone who took the time to donate, share and support,” said Katie.

“Bella doesn’t have a voice, so I have to be hers and I did what I did in her name, so that other people can benefit from these wonderful charities. I wanted to give something back – it’s definitely different having no hair.”

Founded in the mid 1980s by Ann Wilson, the Cri du Chat Syndrome Support Group, provides information, advice and support through its Clinical Advisory Group, set up by members of the committee and outside professionals.

The charity, however receives no government funding and survives solely by individual, and corporate donations as well as fundraising activities.

Isabella, recently had her claim to fame, as she appeared in a live charity video clip of Shooting Star Chase’s Guildford hospice Christopher’s, where she currently attends, on ITV’s X Factor.

Shooting Star Chase cares for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families.

Following the shave Katie took to Facebook to express her gratitude: “People have said some really beautiful things to me.

“Having to come to terms with having a child who will need specialist care for the rest of their life, however long or short, is a pain that never fully goes away.

“Bella is my first daughter, so as you can imagine after having my boys I was somewhat amazed to be having a girl.

“Bella is a complete joy to be around and everyone who comes into contact with her is instantly in love with her. She’s brightened my life in ways you couldn’t imagine.

“She’s made me a better person, she’s taught her siblings about patience and understanding that everyone has their own special needs.

“She’s opened our eyes to a whole other world, filled with the most amazing people. Lastly she’s taught us to never ever take a single second of life for granted.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how incredibly grateful and thankful I am to every person whose donated, shared, just been there. These acts of kindness never go unnoticed by me.

“When you think about what goes on in the world daily and how many people struggle, shaving my head was no great thing, it was just something I could do to try and help another family/families deal with life a little bit easier.”

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Katie-Steele2. Visit Isabella’s Facebook page, ‘Isabella’s Cri Du Chat Journey’, for all the latest news and updates.