MARK Harrington, of Allihies, Beara says he plans to have a warm woolly hat on standby when he undergoes his charity head shave in aid of Breakthrough Cancer Research.

Having grown his hair for over two years, Mark agreed it will feel different having no hair but said he won’t miss the washing and styling.

The 37-year-old was born with cerebral palsy and weighed just one pound and fourteen ounces at birth.

The youngest of a family of five, Mark has always been supported by his family in achieving his ambitions and goals.

His sister Claire said he refused to let the challenges he has faced get in his way, and has always wanted to give back to those who helped him.

‘Both our parents died from cancer, our mother Mary in 2005 and our father Kevin in 2022. It’s very hard when you lose someone to cancer but now it’s our turn to give back and my Mum’s attitude was always get up, get out and get on with it,’ she said.

Mark's late parents Kevin and Mary

Mark, she agrees, has taken his mother’s outlook to heart: ‘This head shave was entirely Mark’s own idea, he planned it all himself and chose the charity. He shows us the true meaning of resilience, strength, and determination.’

In the run up to his head shave and to promote awareness of his fundraiser, Mark has taken part in ‘Sunday style’ sessions with his family who have helped him now flowing locks into a variety of hairstyles which he posts on his social media.

In between organising his fundraiser Mark attends CoAction Beara and also helps on the family farm in Allihies.

He has previously studied agriculture at Darrarra College, Clonakilty, becoming the first ever wheelchair used to complete the course.

Mark’s head shave will take place on Saturday October 25th at Allihies Community Hall from 9pm.

His sister-in-law Sandra who is a hairstylist will be welding the scissors, and Claire says the family have a few more surprises lined up on the night, which will include a raffle.

All funds raised for Breakthrough Cancer Research, through Mark’s Head Shave, will go towards funding lifesaving cancer research being carried out across Ireland with over 200 researchers.

They focus their research on finding newer, better and kinder ways to detect and treat some of the most difficult to treat cancers.

Donations can be made at https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/theharringtonfamily