Isla raises over €12K for charity

After her father Mick received the devastating news that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, nine-year-old Isla McDonald from Drumgoon decided to do something positive for others.

Isla donated her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation, a voluntary organisation that collects natural hair to make wigs for children and adults going through cancer treatment or who have Alopecia.

She also set up a Go Fund Me account in aid of Cootehill Cancer Support.

Isla's mother Karen explains why she picked the charity: "We sat her and her siblings down and explained to them about their father's diagnosis,” said Karen.

“We decided to be upfront and honest about it rather than cover it up.

“They handled it well. But Isla is a very selfless child and decided to use the situation to do some good.

“She picked the Rapunzel Foundation because some of her cousins had done it in the past and we looked at some national charities but decided to pick Cootehill Cancer Support because we agreed it's important to pick local charities.”

The fundraiser was a huge success and Karen said she is so proud of Isla for doing it.

"It was completely her idea. She is a very selfless girl and is always looking out for the next way to help people. It's a really good outcome because it makes dealing with the diagnosis a positive experience."

Karen was also keen to thank everybody who helped raise awareness for her campaign and those who made donations.

"We're very grateful to everyone who helped out, we got great support from community organisations, especially Drumgoon GAA and Derenakesh National School,” she said.