The Orange Anglican Grammar School student had her 78-centimetre hair shaved in front of her fellow students, teachers and her parents.

The 11-year-old raised $1962 for the Leukemia Foundation and has donated her hair to Variety, to make wigs for people who have lost their hair after chemotherapy.

She said decided to take part after she saw a World’s Greatest Shave advertisement on television.

“I’m very excited and nervous,” she said.

VIDEO: The time lapse of Emily’s charity hair cut:

Her mother Mandy Sanders said Emily’s family had been touched by cancer, as her grandmother passed away from a rare form of skin cancer and Mandy’s best friend had undergone treatment for leukemia.

“When her nanna went into the hospice she visited her every day until she passed and was so very brave,” Mrs Sanders said.

“My best friend’s husband died of leukemia just before her nanna did aged just 50 years following an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant,”

“Emily saw how much that affected me and my friend.”

VIDEO: Emily loses her locks:

Mrs Sanders said the experience had changed her perspective.

“The whole experience had given her a completely different perspective on life, death and especially cancer – she emphathises completely with anyone diagnosed,” she said.

Mrs Sanders said her daughter was well-supported by Orange Anglican Grammar School students and teachers.

“[They] have been truly amazing and the support Emily has received has been truly inspiring,” she said.