Hove hospice hails 11 year old an 'inspirational role model' after fundraising challenge

Delilah McNulty, from Brighton, has raised more than £900 for Martlets Hospice following a head shave challenge.

She donated the sum earlier this month after having all of her hair cut off last year to support the charity, which cares for those living with a terminal illness in and around Brighton and Hove.

Delilah, whose hair was two inches below her shoulders before the challenge, said: “I know that lots of people there need support. It made me feel good to know that I was helping people."

She says she decided she did not need her hair any more and asked her mum, Sorcha Bridge, if she could take on the challenge.

She added: “As I got closer to the day, I started to feel quite scared – but when I got to the hairdressers I was excited.

“I even cut my own ponytail off, and then the hairdresser shaved off the rest.

“My friends at school didn’t believe that I was going to do it, so they were really shocked when I came into school the next day.”

“People keep telling me how brave I am, but I don’t think so. It’s only hair and it will grow back – I don’t have cancer. Some people are not so lucky.”

Liz Davies, of the hospice’s fundraising team, said that Delilah 'such an amazing young lady'.

She said: “She might not think that she’s been particularly brave, but we think she is an inspirational role model for others.

“She has raised a tremendous amount of money for us with her selflessness and this will definitely make a real difference to the lives of local people and their families.”

To see a video of Delilah having her hair shaved off, see the top of the page.