Sisters swap lockdown locks for skinheads in aid of charity
ORDINARILY Cate and Rosemary Hartigan sport fairly short hairdos, but, like so many, their usually well-maintained tresses were in a state of disrepair the longer lockdown continued.
With mullets straight from the 1980s and fringes which just wouldn’t stay out of their eyes, the sisters knew something drastic had to be done. The only thing for it was to shave the entire lot off, to go from one extreme to the other, and to raise money for local organisations in the process.
The event took place in Cate’s garden and was streamed live on social media, ensuring there was no turning back for the ladies. And despite the rather severe look, both sisters described shaving their heads as ‘a relatively straightforward affair’, adding that growing it back might be ‘more of a challenge’.
Through their i-donate page (Cate and Rosemary’s S-H-AVE The Date) the woman have so far raised €3,610. All funds will be given to Wexford Lions Club, where Rosemary is the PRO, and from there the club will distribute an equal share to the Wexford Arts Centre, Blood Bikes South East, and the Loreto Wexford PPU Student Bursary.
Wexford Lions Club has partnered with Wexford Arts Centre for over 30 years through the annual Lions Club Art Exhibition and the funds will be used to assist the Little Artists Club, which gives classes for children aged four to six.
Discussing the work of Blood Bikes South East, Rosemary said: ‘Wexford Lions Club is delighted to support this new voluntary body who are in the process of setting up their service in Wexford.
‘This organisation assists public hospitals, nursing homes, families and other medical facilities by providing a free out of hours medical transport service.
‘In doing so, they relieve sickness, and protect health, by the transportation of medical requirements such as PPE equipment, human donor breast milk for premature and vulnerable babies as well as those newly born with mothers too ill to feed them.
‘They will also transport blood products, samples, medical records, test results, urgent medicines, and medical devices.’
The recently formed Past People’s Union for graduates of Loreto Secondary School in Wexford will provide bursary’s for students at the school. The bursary will provide support for students attending any third level institute, either for a PLC or a degree. By providing financial assistance, the PPU will ensure students are given every opportunity to achieve their full potential.
As President of the Loreto Wexford PPU, Cate said she is looking for ex-Loreto students to join the organisation and support the students, as well as meet with old school friends.
The fundraiser will be open for donations until the end of July. The three main projects are guaranteed €1,000 with the balance going to Wexford Lions Club and their ongoing support of community projects in Wexford town.
And With traditional fundraising activities curtailed due to social distancing, Rosemary said Wexford Lions Club is ‘delighted to embrace new methods of raising much needed financial support’.
Having held all their meetings since April via Zoom, she said that while they may not be as visible as before, they are still working in the background, taking care of those in our community in need of assistance. ‘The Lions motto ‘We Serve’ is still alive and well in Wexford,’ Rosemary added.