By Paul McElwee
A Lifford woman who, for the past number of years has been shedding her long hair for charity, underwent her fourth cut last week to help children in need.
Esther Jean Cullen first began cutting her hair for charity 12 years ago and has been undergoing the same process every few years.
Explaining why she does it, Esther said, “I used to donate blood but after a few fainting incidents, I couldn’t do it any more so decided donating my hair was a great way to give something back. I cut my hair for charity for the first time 12 years ago as my mummy was going in for heart surgery. Every few years I would do it again, sending the hair to the Rapunzel Foundation and the Little Princess Trust, organisations which provide wigs and vital support to children and young people who experience hair loss due to illness. The minimum for a donation is 12 inches and this year I cut off 15 inches (40cm). My husband was joking ‘don’t take too much off; I don’t want you looking like a boy!
“It takes 20 ponytails just to make one wig for one child so my donation will go some way to make a wig for a child in need. There are a lot of young children who are suffering from diseases like leukaemia and alopecia so if my hair can help brighten their day by making a wig then I’m happy it’s well worth it if I can bring comfort to at least one person.”
Esther adds that, every time she donates, she receives a card from the child who has benefitted from her donation, something which really warms her heart.
In addition, Esther has also opened an iDonate page to raise money for LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice which provides specialist palliative and supportive care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Hoping to raise €500, the total sat at €265 as of earlier this week.
Esther finishes by encouraging others to follow her lead, “I would strongly recommend anyone interested in helping any charitable cause to do so.”
Anyone wishing to donate to Esther’s cause can do so by visiting https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/estherjeancullen4732
