Sisters with strong Mayo links take part in Big Brave Cut for Sunflower Children's Hospice

TWO sisters from Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, have become the first to take part in The Big Brave Cut, a new fundraising initiative supporting Sunflower Children’s Hospice.

Róisín (8) and Cara (6) Doherty, daughters of Noel and Edel Doherty and granddaughters of John and Judy Caslin of Strokestown and Ballina, and the late Pauline and Michael Joe Doherty of Gurteen, Straide, Foxford, bravely stepped into the chair at QF Hair Salon, Strokestown, where hairdresser Fiona O’Reilly carried out the cuts.

Both girls, who attend Kiltrustan National School in Strokestown, donated an impressive 12 inches of hair each, which will be used to create wigs for children and young people experiencing hair loss.

Donating your hair is no small thing. It is a significant change and a real sacrifice, particularly for young children. By taking part in The Big Brave Cut, Róisín and Cara are making a meaningful difference to not one, but two worthy causes, creating a wig for a child in need, while also raising vital funds for children and families who will benefit from the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.

What makes their achievement even more extraordinary is that this is not their first act of kindness. Róisín is making her third hair donation, while Cara is making her second, demonstrating an exceptional level of compassion and commitment to helping others.

All funds raised through The Big Brave Cut go directly to the Sunflower Children’s Hospice, to be located in Mayo, which will be Ireland’s first children’s hospice outside of Dublin, providing specialist palliative and respite care for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families across the west of Ireland. The overall project is estimated to cost between €12m and €14m.

Alongside clinical care, the hospice will provide vital emotional, practical and bereavement support for families.

Construction is expected to commence in late 2026.

Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said: "Róisín and Cara are a true inspiration, not just to children their own age, but to all of us. To donate your hair once takes real bravery; to do it again and again, at just six and eight years old, is something truly remarkable.

“The Big Brave Cut is a wonderful new initiative, and these two young girls have set the bar incredibly high as its very first participants.

“Every euro raised brings us one step closer to opening the Sunflower Children's Hospice and ensuring that families across the west no longer have to face the most difficult days of their lives far from home. We are so grateful to Róisín, Cara, their family, and to everyone who supports this cause."

You can make a donation to the girls' fundraising page here.

For more information on The Sunflower Children’s Hospice, visit sunflowerchildrenshospice.ie.