Ten-year-old Jamie Burke from Ballina has shown incredible kindness and generosity by donating 12 inches of his hair and raising €2,100 in support of Sunflower Children’s Hospice.
Jamie, a pupil at Behy National School, recently took part in The Big Brave Cut, a fundraising initiative supporting the development of Sunflower Children’s Hospice, which will become Ireland’s first children’s hospice outside Dublin.
After more than two years of growing his hair, Jamie took the brave step of having it cut at Ann Gallagher Salon in Ballina, where his aunt Ann carried out the special haircut surrounded by family, friends and supporters.
His impressive 12-inch hair donation will now be sent to the Little Princess Trust, which creates and supplies real-hair wigs free of charge to children and young people experiencing hair loss due to illness or medical treatment.
Alongside donating his hair, Jamie has raised more than €2,000 through his donate page, with all funds going towards the development of Sunflower Children’s Hospice.
Jamie was joined on the day by his mother Louise, grandmother Bernie Thompson, aunts Carol, Shirley and Ann, cousin and godfather David, Conn Rangers football coach John Judge, and school friends Conall and Lochlan, who all came together to support his fundraising efforts.
Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, praised Jamie’s incredible efforts:
“Jamie is a wonderful example of the kindness and courage so many young people across Mayo are showing through The Big Brave Cut. Growing his hair for two years and then donating it to help create a wig for another child shows a real generosity of spirit, and raising over €2,000 for the Sunflower Children’s Hospice on top of that is a fantastic achievement.
“We are so grateful to Jamie, his family and friends, and to everyone who has supported him along the way.”
We would like to sincerely thank Jamie, his family, Ann Gallagher Salon and everyone who has supported this incredible fundraising effort. Jamie’s compassion and determination are making a lasting difference for children and families across the west of Ireland.
Ireland’s first children’s hospice outside of Dublin.
