Galway wheelchair user makes the cut to raise funds for Cancer Care West

A Galway wheelchair user who wanted to do his bit to aid the battle against cancer shaved his head for the cause last Friday.

Michael Hegarty was inspired to fundraise, to show his support for all those diagnosed with the illness.

“It’s a difficult time for people with cancer at the moment, this is a cause very close to my heart,” he explained.

Michael was looking for a way to help in some small way. He eventually decided upon shaving all his hair off – and he did it with his customary good humour.

“I will miss my hair, but that’s only a minor thing compared to what people with cancer are going through,” he said.

Michael is originally from the Claddagh and lived there in his early years. A keen sports and music fan, Michael is a well-known figure in Galway, now resident in Galway Cheshire, Roscam.

He fulfilled a long-time dream when he met with Prince William and Kate Middleton on their visit to Galway in March 2020, describing the meeting as the ‘best day of my life’.

He’s a huge ports fanatic and a familiar face around Connacht Rugby and the Sportsground – as well as other Galway sporting venues.

But he is also a true champion in his own right, winning various trophies for wheelchair karate.

His fundraising commenced on January 17 with an initial target of €250 set.

He has nearly doubled that target already, raising €480 to date.

“People have been so generous. This campaign has brought a lot of people together, inspiring generosity and goodwill,” he said.

And now that he’s doubled his original target, Michael doesn’t plan on stopping there.

“I want to push the bar higher and raise even more badly needed cash for the important work of Cancer Care West,” he said.

He explained why he particularly wanted to support Cancer Care West with this fundraiser.

“It’s hard for anyone living with cancer and it’s very important that I can help people any way possible especially in such tough times,” he said.

He believes that we need to all get behind organisations like Cancer Care West.

“Cancer never stops and just because the pandemic came along, illnesses like cancer never went away. This is only a small thing, but I want to do my bit,” he said. Michael is encouraging everyone to throw a little or a lot into the pot, for his head-shave which took place on Friday, February 25.

The iDonate link, https://www.idonate.ie/MichaelHegarty, will remain open until Friday, March 4, with all funds going directly to Cancer Care West.