Catherine Tully’s Clipper Challenge raises more than €10k for Cancer Research Ireland

Limerick’s Catherine Tully has raised more than €10,000 so far in support of Cancer Research Ireland through her “Clipper Challenge” Share or Dye fundraiser at Slattery’s bar, Limerick.

Limerick’s Catherine Tully raises more than €10k for Cancer Research Ireland with the Shave or Dye clipper challenge

Limerick’s Catherine Tully has raised more than €10,000 so far in support of Cancer Research Ireland through her “Clipper Challenge” Share or Dye fundraiser at Slattery’s bar, Limerick.

The Limerick woman raised funds for a cause very close to her heart, having seen her siblings battle the disease in the past, and sadly losing four of her brothers, including her twin brother in 2024.

Catherine wanted to take part in Shave or Dye to show solidarity with her sister, who is currently going through treatment, while also raising funds and awareness for the charity.

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“Shaving my head is a way of showing solidarity with my sister, and all of my siblings,” Catherine told I Love Limerick, adding, “ They’re very proud of me, and all my family, they said I had great courage to do it.”

So far, through online donations and fundraising before the event, she has raised €10,300.75 with support from her family, friends, and the wider community. Catherine said she couldn’t believe the support from the public, saying she found it hard to put into words how much it means to her.

She said, “ I can’t explain it; the way I feel, like my body is like jelly. I can’t believe people would do that, the support I got, I couldn’t believe it!”

Speaking about whether the decision to give up her hair for the fundraiser was difficult, Catherine said, “ It was, and it wasn’t. I was delighted that I did it. I did it for everyone, because it’s on nearly everyone’s doorstep. And I’d love if there was a cure for it.”

She highlighted how people might look at her on the street and wonder what her story is, but part of the Shave or Dye fundraiser is raising awareness, and those looks are what start conversations about cancer and cancer research, saying she wants “people to hear the story behind it”.

Reflecting on the loss of her siblings, she expressed how it had been a tough journey losing her brothers, including her twin who she says she was “very close” with, describing him as a “good family man”.

“ He was a good family man, loved his home, loved his wife, his kids, he had three sons, and he loved animals. He was a beautiful man,” she said.

She made special not of her brother who passed away nine years ago, saying he was her best friend, saying he was more “a friend than a brother”. Losing her siblings has been hard to take, with Catherine noting she can’t put into words how it feels.

Supporting her was her daughter, Sarah, who shared her pride in her mum, saying, “ It means a lot because, as she says, it hits everybody. And it takes a lot of courage to do something like that, I don’t think I could part with my hair, to be honest.

“It is a very big decision, it really is. I’m very, very proud of her, even with the build-up to it and everything, trying to organise everything, she is incredible.”

Catherine said she hopes the effort raises awareness and supports a future cure for cancer, with donations still coming in on the GoFundMe page, she hopes to present her cheque to Cancer Research Ireland next week.