Schoolgirl (6) donates her lovely hair and raises €1.7k
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A SCHOOLGIRL donated 15 inches of her long locks to the Rapunzel Foundation and raised over €1,700 for the Irish Cancer Society last month, to help sick children and those affected by cancer.
Kayleigh Tuite (6), from Avonbeg in Tallaght, decided to donate her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation when she was inspired by her schoolfriend’s older sisters, who donated their hair to the charity.
Kayleigh Tuite with her new hairstyle and with her dad
The St Dominic’s National School pupil had always kept her hair long, having previously only ever had her hair trimmed, but Kayleigh’s charitable endeavours didn’t end when she posted her hair donation – she also raised €1,730 for the Irish Cancer Society.
Kayleigh’s mother Sinead told The Echo: “At first, Kayleigh was very hesitant about donating her hair, but she had a little think and mulled it over, and then she was adamant that she wanted to do it.”
Family friend and hairdresser Amie Hewson went to Kayleigh’s home in mid-July and cut her hair, before it was carefully packaged and posted to Anna Furlong from the Rapunzel Foundation.
Sinead said: “Kayleigh was overwhelmed when she got her haircut – she couldn’t believe [her long hair] was gone, but she loved her new hairstyle.”
Sinead also set up a fundraising page for her daughter, asking people to donate to the Irish Cancer Society in recognition of Kayleigh’s hair donation, which totalled €1,730 for the cancer charity.
Sinead added: “We’re super proud of Kayleigh, she’s delighted. Now it’s time for her to start growing her hair back!”
