Young girl with strong Clare links cuts off her locks for children's charity
AN ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl with strong Clare links has donated 16 inches of her hair to a national children’s charity.
Hayley Hammond, from Ballina, is donating her long brown hair to the Laura Lynn charity.
A personal project which has been two years in the making, Hayley saw an advertisement for the children’s charity one day and decided she would grow her hair out.
In her own words: “I just want to give it to someone that needs it.”
She cut 16 inches of her hair off, with the support of her family, friends and members of the local community on Sunday last, December 3.
Hayley, who plays soccer for Lough Derg FC, had a small fundraising event in Clarisford Park in Killaloe.
Longford Town goalkeeper, Jack Brady, hosted a penalty shoot out on the day, to help her raise some extra funds for Laura Lynn.
The charity provides palliative care and support for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Hayley’s mother, Elaine, says highlighting the work of the charity is one of reason’s behind her daughter’s donation.
“She doesn’t like having long hair, so it has been a struggle for her to grow her hair. She wanted her hair gone, so it was a relief more than anything else! She decided that she would cut her hair for sick children and donate it, rather than just getting it cut in her own time. We signed up with Laura Lynn and it has been in the making since 2021.”
Hayley, who is in fifth class in Ballina primary school, always likes her hair to be short.
Local hairdresser Orla from the Green Room hairdressers, Killaloe cut Hayley’s hair, which she then sent off to charity.
“She had it cut into a bob, it is now very, very short. The requirement is 12 to 14 inches of hair to donate. We want to just raise awareness for what she’s doing and get more donations in, because Laura Lynn is such a great cause.”
The Hammond family have raised around €1,000 so far.
Hayley ended up cutting off more hair than she originally set out to, and surpassed her initial goal by two extra inches of hair.
“The day went off great, even though it was absolutely baltic! Special thanks to hairdresser Orla, whose hands were shaking with the cold and thanks to Jack Brady for the penalty shoot out!
"Hayley was surrounded by her soccer teammates and friends and we were very happy with the support we received. Despite the cold, it was brilliant, and we are delighted with the end result,” Hayley’s mother Elaine said.