Longford Town netminder helps young girl raise funds for Laura Lynn children's charity

AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl is donating 16 inches of her hair for a national children’s charity, because in her own words, "I just want to give it to someone that needs it".

Hayley Hammond, from Ballina, is donating her long brown hair to the Laura Lynn charity. A personal project, which has now been two years in the running, Hayley saw an advertisement for the children’s charity one day and decided she would grow her hair out.

She is cutting her hair amongst her family, friends and local community in Killaloe, Clare on Sunday, December 3. Hayley, who plays for u12 Lough Derg FC, is having the small fundraising event in Clarisford Park, Killaloe. 

Longford Town FC goalkeeper, Jack Brady, will be hosting a penalty shoot out on the day, to try to raise some extra funds for the Laura Lynn charity. 

Laura Lynn provides palliative care and support for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Hayley’s mother, Elaine, says that getting word out about the charity is the aim of her daughter's donation.

“She doesn’t like having long hair, so it has been a struggle for her to grow her hair. It will be a relief for her when she gets it cut on Sunday, she wants it gone!

“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 is in fifth class in Ballina primary school and always likes her hair to be short. Local hairdresser Orla from the Green Room hairdressers, Killaloe will be cutting Hayley’s hair, which she will then send off to charity.

“She will have it cut into a bob, it will be 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 to see if we can get more donations in because Laura Lynn is such a great cause.”