If my daughter turning 18 last year was a shock to the system, Meg turning 19 today feels no less surprising.

In one way, her Down’s Syndrome contributes to a sense of her being younger and more naive in the world, but then I suspect it’s probably more to do with being a Dad. Perhaps on some level it’s difficult for any father to truly grasp his daughter is not the wee lass he used to bounce on his knee.

But then in some ways Meg is light years ahead of the rest of us. Her compassion and desire to help others knows few limits. And this was exemplified at the weekend when she had her hair cut short so the lengths could be donated to charity.

A few months ago, Meg had discovered an organisation called Little Princess Trust that provides real-hair wigs free of charge, to boys and girls throughout the UK & Ireland who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment. Since then she’s been determined to donate her own hair once it had grown long enough.

To talk of parental pride would be an understatement. This idea came purely from her – no suggestions, nudging or cajoling coming from anyone else. Meg just thought this would be a wonderful thing to do.

And it really is.

Sadly, we weren’t as organised and it only occurred to us on the day that perhaps this was a fundraising opportunity for the charity, so I quickly fired off a couple of before-and-after pics.

However, better late than never, so we’ve set up this JustGiving page where you can donate a few quid in support if you wish.