Ballaghaderreen community raise €26,455 for Sunflower Children's Hospice
A shave, wax or dye fundraiser and monster auction at Creaton's Bar in Ballaghaderreen has raised an incredible €26,455 for the Sunflower Children's Hospice.
The event was inspired by the Cox family from Lisacul whose 11-year-old son Daire has severe cerebral palsy.
Pub owners Lorraine O'Grady and Sheila McGullion were moved to act after seeing Linda Cox's story featured on RTÉ, and, having only taken over the pub the previous May, organised the fundraiser from scratch.
The response was overwhelming. Locals bravely signed up to shave, wax and dye, sponsorship cards circulated across the town, and the farming community rallied behind a bumper auction featuring hay bales, a steel-frame shed, a generator and trades services.
The auction alone raised €11,000. The shave, wax and dye created great fun and excitement on the night and also invited generous bidding, with one beard fetching €600.
Sunflowers made by children at Frenchpark Childcare decorated the venue, and a full team of DJs, auctioneers, hairdressers, beauticians and photographers gave their time freely.
Funds will go directly towards the construction of the eight-bed Sunflower Children's Hospice in Mayo, due to begin in late 2026. The hospice will provide specialist palliative care for children with life-limiting illnesses, alongside family accommodation, hydrotherapy, play therapy and sensory rooms, serving families across the western seaboard.
Linda Cox, whose family will use the Sunflower Children’s Hospice, once built, said: “Special thank you to Lorraine, Sheila and all the staff of Creaton's Bar who all played a massive part of making the night such a success. Also a sincere thank you to all the sponsors for their auction items, raffle prizes and generous donations.
“As parents of Daire, who will use the hospice services, it truly means the world to us. The care they provide, from respite support to specialised palliative care, will make such a difference not only to Daire but to us as a family.
“It also means so much knowing that other families will benefit from this kindness and support too. We really appreciate every single person who helped make it happen.”
Auctioneers on the night were Mikey O'Grady and Nathan Gill, with music by Dermot Dillon and Martin Fitzmaurice.
Caoimhe Jordan from Opulence Beauty and Kayley Clarke from Kayley’s Beauty Studio were the beauticians on the night. Jamie Duffy and Edel Mullen from Hair by Edel & Jamie along with Mairead McGrath from Mairead's Hair Studio were hairdressers for the event.