Lovely gesture: Longford girl cuts her beautiful hair to raise funds for two charities

Ten-year-old Annelisa Casey from Lanesboro cut 16 inches of her beautiful hair for a hair donation to LauraLynn Children’s Hospice and Little Princess Trust.

The 'big cut' took place in Granny and Grandad’s house, Anne and Michael Stephens, Corofin, Co Galway with a family friend doing the honours on Saturday, February 22.

Annelisa was just three years old when she was first inspired to help children who experience hair loss by her Boston-based relative Emily, who was growing her hair for the third time for a children’s charity there.

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Annelisa thought this was a really great thing to do and could not wait to participate. It helped that she also always wanted to have long hair like Rapunzel!

With this in mind, she waited until she had over 12 inches. When nearing the target length, she set up an iDonate page. With the help of her family and friends, she raised €850 for LauraLynn, Locks of Love, and €200 for Little Princess Trust. 

LauraLynn is Ireland’s first Children’s Hospice, the creation of Jane and Brendan McKenna following their remarkable campaign in memory of their two daughters Laura and Lynn died 20 months apart. Between 2002 and 2007, they raised €5m.  Millions more has been raised since then. LauraLynn House, was built for children with life-limiting conditions in 2011. Lauralynn helps over 260 children and their families from across 26 counties.

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The Little Princess Trust was set up in 2005 in memory of Hannah Tarplee.

As Hannah was only five years old, her parents struggled to find a wig to suit her. Since 2005 the Trust has provided over 2000 real hair wigs, free of charge to children and young people up to the age of 24, who have lost their own hair due to cancer treatment and other conditions. 2025 marks the Little Princess Trusts’ 20th Anniversary of its foundation.

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One brilliant idea has made a huge difference. The mother of a girl who was the recipient of a wig said “ These wigs are not to hide hair loss but to crown courage and bravery”.

Annelisa didn’t stop there, on Tuesday last for ‘Show and Tell’ she spoke about her hair cut, donation and the charities she had chosen, to her school friends and teachers. There were lots of questions and no doubt she has inspired others to grow their hair so they can help too.

Annelisa along with her parents, Patrick & Maria Casey, her Brothers and family would like to express their gratitude to all who donated towards the fundraising efforts and for all the support and good wishes throughout the process.

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