Longford's Caroline Kiernan is to cut her hair for charity to raise funds

Longford girl Caroline Kiernan (11) will voluntarily cut her hair by 12-inches for LauraLynn, Ireland's Children's Hospice, a charity that helps children and young people with palliative and complex care needs, and which has supported her family due to personal misfortunes.

The hair will be used to make a wig for those with cancer or alopecia.

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The reason behind Caroline’s charitable decision is from personal experience. Her mother, Bernadette Kiernan (née Ireland), Esker, Ballinalee, died in 2022 from Danon Syndrome, a rare illness that Caroline’s brother, James, also has.

Since being supported by LauraLynn to go on outings, while other services like therapy and care have been provided, Caroline said “I just wanted to do it” when asked about her reasons.

The brave young girl continued, “There was music therapy. A person came in and gave us instruments. We got to use drums and stuff. There are loads of fun things to do. We got to go get nails done with kids my own age.”

Last time Caroline went to LauraLynn, she took part in earring making. LUSH, the cosmetic company, also came to make bath bombs. She has visited there twice. Also, she is looking forward to a trip to Dundrum Shopping Centre.

Despite being young, Caroline understands what life is like with sick individuals in the household. Once making her decision to cut off her hair, her school has also provided plenty of support.

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St Teresa’s National School in Killoe posted it up on their Facebook pages. Other avenues to donate include Caroline’s iDonate page online (Caroline Kiernan's Fundraising page), where people can donate money to go directly to LauraLynn. Her €350 goal has already been passed, now over €2,550.

The iDonate page closes on July 1, so people are encouraged to donate before then. She plans on cutting her hair on June 25, before the school year ends.

Two inches short of the “Rapunzel cut”, her hair goes to the Little Princess Trust in the UK. Some of it will go to LauraLynn, too.

The hair cut will take place at Zen in Longford town.

Regarding how LauraLynn supports the family, Caroline's father, Seamus, made some comments about it.

“Great staff, very helpful and understanding. I go to therapy with them.”

Seamus's late wife, Bernadette, had a Facebook page called Bernadette Ireland, which is currently being updated to build traction for the haircut. Although Caroline has her heart set in cutting her hair, she also had support from someone who was doing a similar act.

“Another girl who Caroline is friends with is cutting her hair the next day and gave Caroline a little push.”

LauraLynn has previously done other efforts for charity, such as its 24-hour treadmill run that took place in May this year. The charity brings comfort to families that have similar experiences to the Kiernans.

They not only help the sick individuals, but bring family support services and a home to their residents to bring the best quality-of-life that can be provided.

Donations can be given towards Caroline's cause via: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/carolinekiernan