Home News Community Knockbeg students raise more than €12,000 by dying their hair blond for...

Knockbeg students raise more than €12,000 by dying their hair blond for breast cancer research

Photo: Michael O’Rourke

Students at Knockbeg College recently presented the proceeds of a fundraiser that they took it upon themselves to run over the last six weeks.

Members of the school’s senior football team, who reached the Leinster quarter final where they were beaten by Naas, dyed their hair blond just before Christmas.

They did it to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.

This is a national charity that funds a comprehensive research programme at the University of Galway.

Breast cancer research has improved the diagnosis, treatment options, and outcomes for those who develop the disease.

They want to fund these research programmes to continue to impact the outcomes for those who develop the disease in the future.

The research team, in collaboration with universities and hospitals across the globe, focuses on the development and improvement of diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies, to drive real and measurable improvement in clinical outcomes for breast cancer patients.

Speaking to LaoisToday previously, Eire Og’s Cialan Brady explained how the lads decided to raise money for NBCRI.

He said: “Our fellow Sixth Year Mikey Kelly, his mam was diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

“So, members of the team have decided to dye our hair blonde and have launched a fundraiser for doing so.”

Six weeks on, the group raised €12,200 and Cialan said they are absolutely blown away by the support they have received.

He said: “We are thrilled to have raised this amount of money for a very worthy cause.

“We want to thank Jessy Howe, Debbie Brennan, Maria Doyle, Elly Farrell and Karen Farrell as they were the ones who dyed all our hairs.

“We want to thank everyone who donated and shared the GoFundMe link – it really was a massive success.”

Brady was joined by Brian Broderick to present a cheque to Paul Earley of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.

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