Teenager raises funds for cancer research

A young South Roscommon student has raised hundreds of euro for cancer research, putting his body, and hair, on the line to do it.

Sixteen-year-old Matthew Parker from Toberdan, Lecarrow, has almost €2,000 of a €5,000 goal raised for the Irish Cancer Society.

The Athlone Community College Fifth Year student decided to start the fundraiser as unfortunately a number of people close to him had passed away from the disease.

“Cancer has affected me in my life, and I just wanted to do something to help,” said Matthew, who plans to study medicine after secondary school.

Matthew is the son of Daryl and Severine Parker. He is half French and speaks the language almost fluently.

In a novel move, as he passed each fundraising milestone, he had to carry out a challenge. When he raised €100, he buzzed his hair, at €500 he dyed his hair pink during the Easter break, and at €1,000 he shaved his hair. He also plans to run 5km, and should he reach his €5,000 goal he will get an Irish Cancer Society daffodil flower tattoo.

“A lot of the challenges are quite random,” he said. “They were things that friends or people suggest and if it was reasonable I put it on the list.” Matthew added that he was delighted with the support he had received and was very grateful. Active online he has been posting videos of his challenges on TikTok and has received a great response.

To donate visit Matthew’s ‘Fundraising for Irish Cancer Society’ GoFundMe page.