Dunboyne students enterprise inspired by his sister

A transition year student from St Peter’s College, Dunboyne who tragically lost his younger sister to cancer, says she is the inspiration behind him and a friend for making hats for children who lose their hair due to chemotherapy.
Seán Norman’s sister, Aoibheann, passed away in 2010 from a very rare form of cancer at the young age of eight.
But now her 15-year old brother has honoured her memory by making colourful hats for children, who like Aoibheann might find wigs itchy.
Seán and his father Jimmy, who is one of the co founders of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie charity, believe the young girl would have loved to have had one of the hats when she lost her hair.
The initiative to hand make them came from Seán and his school friend, Aoife Byrne (16) and is called ‘Lids for Kids’.
Seán said: “What drove it a little bit for me was that when Aoibheann was sick she didn’t like wearing the wigs at all.”
Aoife added: “We got the idea because when children are going through treatment they tend to lose their hair, so we thought why not makes some hats for them, instead of them walking around (without a wig ) and have people staring.”
Aoife said they are very practical as well as comfortable because “They keep the children warm and they will help boost their confidence.”
The pair thought of the initiative for the Student Enterprise Scheme that is part of the Transition Year programme.
The hats are crocheted or knitted using acrylic wool because some children can be allergic to some types of other wools.
Since the initiative began last month they have either made or had donated to them over 80 hats.
Seán said there was no ‘Lids For Kids’ when Aoibheann needed one, “It was either a bandanna or a hat and the bandannas were only little and wouldn’t keep you very warm.”
Seán’s father, Jimmy said: “The charity is putting the hats into the emergency packs that are specially made for families who have had to rush their child into the ward in an emergency with say a high temperature in the middle of the night2.
“Our darling Aoibheann would have loved to have one to wear. She would be very proud of her brother and of Aoife. In helping other children with cancer we honour her and she will never be forgotten.”
If you would like to help out, please give the Lids For Kids Facebook page a like and you can also knit acrylic woolen hats for the cause and send them in to St Peters College Dunboyne.