Renowned Tipperary fundraiser Eileen Boland will shed her locks for 'marvellous' cause

Age is no barrier to Eileen Boland, who is getting ready for what will be “her last big fundraiser” for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).

82-year-old grandmother Eileen from Lisnatubrid, Ballypatrick, Clonmel, is having her head shaved on Saturday, March 23 to raise more funds for the care and support organisation for which she has already raised almost €1 million.

An intrepid fundraiser, Eileen has abseiled from the roof of Croke Park and taken part in skydives, sponsored walks and mini marathons to generate funds for the IMNDA, which she says was a tower of strength when her late husband Charlie was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at the relatively young age of 48.

“Charlie had the disease for 17 years until he passed away in 2003,” says Eileen.

“The IMNDA were marvellous. Thanks to them we were able to care for Charlie at home”.

The association secured items including a bed, chair, hoist and specially-adapted wheelchair that made the family’s task that much easier.

“We had to knock walls and move doors in the house but we got through it, thank God,” says Eileen.

She has selflessly dedicated much of her time to giving something back to the IMNDA and each year since Charlie’s death has organised several fundraising events including table quizzes, coffee mornings and raffles.

One of her biggest fundraisers was the mock wedding staged just over six years ago with Tom O’Connor from Skeehenarinky, who has since passed away, and whose late wife Breda had also succumbed to Motor Neurone Disease.

Eileen isn’t in the least worried about feeling the cold when she sheds her locks in a couple of weeks time. Her hairdresser Jackie O’Shea from Grangemockler will do the honours.

“I’ve plenty of nice hats to wear.

“I’m looking forward to it, it will be great fun and there will be a great crowd there”.

The head shave will take place at Monroe Sports Complex, the home of Moyle Rovers GAA Club, where Eileen recently stepped down after more than four decades of service as juvenile secretary (“I enjoyed every minute of it,” she says), while she also served on the Scór committee for many years.

Eileen will turn 83 in May and says she’s still enjoying life.

“Once I have my mind clear I don’t mind,” she says.

The sponsored head shave has already been supported to the tune of over €1,000.

Anyone who wants to donate to this very worthy cause may go along to the Monroe Sports Complex at 7pm on March 23 or do so at the following links -https://www.facebook.com/share/p/V8MhN7YLSS5i5GT7/ or

https://www.justgiving.com/page/sponsored-head-shave-eileen-boland-1708716792547.