A KIND-hearted teenager is having his long locks of hair cut off in memory of his friend who died last year after suffering from cystic fibrosis.

Mackenzie Lee, 13, from Haydock, is set to have his head shaved in February in tribute to his Cowley International College schoolmate and good friend Abi Powell.

The teenager has not had his hair cut since Abi died in June.

As well as setting up a Justgiving page for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Mackenzie will also be donating the seven inches of hair he has grown to the Little Princess Trust.

The Little Princess Trust make wigs out of human hair for children who have lost theirs through chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

His mum Joanne, 40, said: "I am really proud of Mackenzie because this was his idea.

"He really wanted to do something after Abi died because she was a close friend of his.

"Mackenzie always used to like to keep his hair short and got it cut regularly so this has been quite a change for him."

It is not the first time the rugby-loving youngster has took part in charitable causes.

He completed a sponsored run in aid of The Bridge Centre in St Helens in 2013 followed by a HellRunner series event in 2014.

Joanne added: "Mackenzie does all the charity events after looking them up off his own back.

"He is such a thoughtful child."

To donate to Mackenzie's fundraising page visit justgiving.com/fundraising/makenzie-lee.