WATCH: Chop for brave Laois boy who grew hair to donate to Locks of Love for LauraLynn

A kindhearted Laois boy has achieved his aim of donating 12 inches of his long curly hair, to help sick children.

Conor Delaney, aged 11 from Mountmellick, began growing out his hair to donate to make children's wigs four years ago, after meeting a boy who was having cancer treatment.

He endured years of comments and people mistaking him for a girl, all to help others, and take part in the Locks of Love for LauraLynn Ireland children's hospice charity.

Read his full story here. 

On Friday, October 25, he sat in front of his entire class, teachers, family and a LauraLynn volunteer, in The Rock National School, and had his long curly locks cut off.

Barber Martina Dunne and LauraLynn's Karen O'Connor plaiting Conor Delaney's hair for the chop for Locks of Love for LauraLynn. Photos: Lynda Kiernan

The job was done with great care by Mountmellick barber Martina Dunne whose beloved son Eoin Coss died with cancer almost two years ago aged 14.

It was an emotional morning, with tears and cheers all around for Conor. 

His school donated €421 on the morning, adding to an online fundraiser to total €2,900 for LauraLynn.

Donate to Conor's fundraiser here.

Conor spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live after his cut, admitting his short hair feels "so weird".

"I'm feeling good. I got a little emotional. I was really nervous honestly. Sure it's an amazing experience I guess. I'd encourage people to do it, it's a great cause.

"I felt a bit angry because people were calling me a girl, but I got over it. I didn't really mind it, I knew that I was doing the right thing," he said.

His parents Sabrina and Gearoid and nana Noreen Delaney proudly watched on.

Conor Delaney after his haircut, with parents Sabrina and Gearoid and nana Noreen Delaney. Photos: Lynda Kiernan

"We are very proud of him. He's a great little man, a little warrior," Sabrina said.

Martina Dunne who recently presented the proceeds of her Eoin's Jersey fundraiser, €11,500 to Crumlin children's hospital and Portlaoise paediatrics unit, described the importance of his gift. 

"Conor is amazing, he really is. All these things make such a difference because without LauraLynn, Eoin wouldn't have got to be at home for his last four days. Two specialist nurses came to mind him, from Galway and Donegal. 

"I'm so emotional, and so proud to be part of this. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else this morning," she said.

Volunteer Karen O'Connor had come down from Dublin to represent LauraLynn and support Conor in person.

"I rang Sabrina as she had signed up with Locks of Love, and when she told us Conor's story we were blown away in LauraLynn. We had to be here to see it for ourselves. 

"Conor has gone through a tough time with the slagging, I hope now he will inspire other boys. It is very unusual for a boy to grow his hair for us, he's a little trooper, he's amazing. Two charities have been helped, it's lovely to see kids helping other kids," Karen said.

Rock NS principal Liam Ahern said people had been dropping in donations to the school all morning.

Conor Delaney with his teacher Michael Fennelly and principal Liam Ahern at the Rock NS. Photos: Lynda Kiernan

“This is a first, we never had an intentional haircut in the school, maybe just some junior infants with scissors. 

“Congratulations and well done Conor. Over the last while he has been growing his hair and we didn’t know why, we thought he just wanted to. He didn’t tell many people. LauraLynn is a fantastic charity, and it’s lovely having Conor’s family here and a LauraLynn representative. Well done to him and his family for supporting LauraLynn,” he said.

See www.lauralynn.ie for more. Donate to Conor's fundraiser here.