Athy girl chops her luscious locks for childhood cancer charity
A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl from Athy has shown that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference after donating her hair to a cancer charity for children and raising an impressive €650 in funds.
Abigail (Abi) Kelly, who turned nine in July and is in third class at Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Athy, decided to donate her hair to The Little Princess Trust, an organisation that provides wigs to children experiencing hair loss. The kind-hearted child had been considering the donation for some time but decided to wait until after her First Holy Communion in May, as she wanted to keep her long hair for the special occasion.
With her Communion celebrations behind her, Abi was ready to go ahead with her plan.
Her hair was cut at Kilminchy Hair Design in Portlaoise, where Rosemary Knight and her team were overwhelmed by the bravery Abi showed and the beautiful gesture she made by donating her hair. Kilminchy Hair Design is registered to facilitate hair donations, helping people who wish to make a difference through this meaningful contribution.
Rosemary and the team at Kilminchy Hair Design were delighted to help Abi carry out her plans and have praised her courage and generosity.
Alongside the hair donation, Abi and her family decided to organise a fundraiser, inviting family, friends and the wider community to contribute to the cause. Despite having only a few days to organise the collection before Abi’s appointment, the response was fantastic, with generous donations totalling to €650.
The money raised was donated to Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland, while Abi’s hair was sent separately to The Little Princess Trust.
Her mother Michelle said the family wanted to keep the fundraising element local, choosing an organisation that supports families affected by childhood cancer. The Little Princess Trust received Abi’s hair and sent confirmation of its arrival, along with a certificate that the family could print to mark her contribution.
Abi’s kind gesture has also been celebrated at school, where her photograph was displayed on a screen in the school building.
For her family, the donation was particularly special because it was something Abi had wanted to do herself for quite some time.
Her decision is a lovely reminder of the compassion and generosity that children can show, and of how one young person’s idea can inspire others to give what they can.
By donating her hair and raising €650, Abi has made a meaningful contribution to two causes supporting children and families facing difficult circumstances.
