Mayo boy donates 12 inches of hair and raises over €2,000 for Children’s Hospice
Ten-year-old Jamie Burke takes part in The Big Brave Cut to help children facing hair loss and life-limiting illness
A remarkable young boy from Ballina has raised more than €2,000 for charity after donating 12 inches of his hair to help create a wig for a child in need.
Ten-year-old Jamie Burke, a pupil at Behy National School, recently took part in The Big Brave Cut, a fundraising initiative supporting the development of the 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.
The impressive 12-inch 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.
As well as donating his hair, Jamie has raised over €2,000 through sponsorship, with all funds going towards the development of the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.
Jamie was joined on the day by his mother Louise, grandmother Bernie Thompson of Ballina, aunts Carol, Shirley and Ann, cousin and godfather David, Conn Rangers football coach John Judge, and school friends Conall and Lochlan, who were all there to support his fundraising efforts.
The Sunflower Children’s Hospice, being developed by the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, will provide specialist palliative and respite care for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families across the west of Ireland.
The project will offer not only clinical care but also emotional, practical and bereavement supports for families. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026.
Paying tribute to Jamie’s efforts, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation Martina Jennings said:
“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.”
Jamie’s fundraising effort has been widely praised as an inspiring example of community spirit, generosity and compassion, helping both children facing hair loss and families who will benefit from the future services of the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.
Donations can still be made through Jamie’s fundraising page, with every contribution helping to support children and families across the West of Ireland.