A kind-hearted schoolboy is braving his biggest haircut yet to raise money for the Irish Kidney Association.
Connor Walsh from Buncrana will celebrate his 13th birthday on the 26th May. On this day, he has pledged to have his long hair cut in support of a charity close to his heart. (Click here to visit the fundraising page)
Connor’s grandfather Seamus Mceleney is in full health today thanks to the gift of life he received through organ donation in 2017. Seamus was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease in December 2015. On Christmas Day that year, he was told that his only option had to be a transplant.
Fortunately, Seamus’ daughter Aileen was a near-perfect match. The transplant went perfectly, Seamus found a new lease of life and Aileen felt blessed to be able to provide the life changing gift.
Seamus and Aileen Mceleney
Aileen, who is Connor’s mother, was a renal nurse at the time of the transplant and has since gone on to become a midwife.
Taking care of kidney patients was second nature to Aileen, but her personal experience gave her a first-hand glimpse at the vital importance of organ donation.
“We have been lucky, my dad is fit and well and living proof of how important organ donation is. It does give people a second chance at life,” Aileen said.
Young Connor’s charity challenge has become a way for the family to give back. The Irish Kidney Association constantly works to raise awareness of organ donation, and this week the campaign will be ramped up for Organ Donor Awareness Week 2021.
Connor Walsh has been growing his hair long for years
Connor has two months to go until his big haircut and is already hoping to donate his long healthy locks to a wig-making charity.
“Connor has always had longish hair. Back in 2019 it was to his jawline and now it’s halfway down his back. He stopped getting his haircut simply because he didn’t like the way it felt after a trip to the hairdressers,” Aileen explains.
“Now it’s at the stage where he really needs it cut. He is excited about it now and he’s surprised that he has raised so much already.”
The family are hoping that the campaign will create more awareness of organ donation locally.
And they are hoping that hairdressers might be open by the end of May, so that Connor can get a cool new look for his birthday!
If you would like to donate to the fundraiser, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/donate/2063335170488842/10160800309597598/
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