Young Tipperary boy shows he’s ‘a cut above’ with fundraiser for Irish Cancer Society

Hats, and indeed hair, off this week to one wonderful 11-year-old west Tipperary boy who recently took part in a ‘Shave or Dye’ Challenge and in the process raised a pretty sum of €660 for the Irish Cancer Society.

Fionn O’Callaghan from Ballintemple, Dundrum displayed great heart and altruism for one so young when deciding to have a huge haircut in order to fundraise in support of his aunt Roisin, currently undergoing chemotherapy. When Roisín, who resides in Dublin, started losing her hair, young Fionn, in a show of exceptional empathy, decided he was going to do something special in solidarity with his aunt.

With the help of family and friends a sponsorship round was organised and there was great support for young Fionn’s trojan efforts. And then, on the big day itself, soccer-mad Fionn who also loves to play his XBox, headed for Cashel and Joe’s Barber in Boherclough Street where the job was completed in jig time. And thanks also to Joe O’Dwyer who wouldn’t take a penny for his services either on the day.

However, when Fionn got back home he then decided he wanted even more done and, in for a penny in for a pound, the hair strimmer was out again and the job completed. (See inset right).

Aunt Roisín is greatly heartened with the love and empathy from her wonderful nephew and Mum Margaret and everyone in the family, all his fellow pupils at Thomastown National School and indeed the wider Dundrum community can be so proud of their young role model.

The funds raised in the “Shave or Dye” have now been transferred to the Irish Cancer Society, and once again Fionn and his family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all who contributed in any way.