- October 26, 2021
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Salon owner Darren celebrates the hair-raising skydive for LOFFA
By Carmel Hayes
TWO hairdressers and a friend have raised over €4,200 in a hair-raising 13,000ft skydive for charity.
Darren Farrell, owner of The Hair House salon in Rathdowney, took the plunge on October bank holiday Monday with stylist Laura Fogarty and friend Larina Kennelly.
The ‘Jump for LOFFA’, in aid of Laois Offaly Families For Autism, was originally planned for 26 September but was delayed by poor weather.
The trio finally reached for the skies in Clonbullogue, Co Offaly yesterday morning, when they jumped from a plane in tandem parachute dives and more than doubled their original target of €2,000.
Overwhelmed by their courage and kindness, LOFFA thanked the trio on social media for their hair-raising adventure and said: “This money will help so many kids and young adults receive the therapies they are in need of. We can’t thank these guys enough.”
A delighted Darren declared: “We did it … woooooooop. I’m so proud of us, what an absolute unreal experience. Honestly, it was the best thing I have ever done, ticked off the bucket list. The adrenaline rush in that plane going up, wow. It’s so, so peaceful soaring down.”
A hairdresser for 16 years, Darren set up the fundraiser in August because he knows how much support the charity gives young people with autism and their families.
He says: “I have many kids and young adults that are on the spectrum and seeing first hand what LOFFA do for these families is just amazing. I have been looking after these clients since I opened four years ago.
“Speaking to parents who have children on the spectrum really made me want to help this organisation. For me, it’s all about the child or young adult getting to know me and having the child comfortable in the salon, so I got some sensory toys for when they are having their hair done, as it’s a calming measure for some.
“I got colouring books, crayons and other toys if they preferred them. I also introduced time slots, if a parent is worried about coming in with the child or young adult, so they can be there on their own and have quiet time while getting their hair done.”
Laura has been a hairdresser for 12 years and also looks after young adults and children who are on the spectrum. She loves seeing them smiling as they leave the salon, after a confidence-boosting haircut and style.
Laura also studied to be a special needs assistant (SNA) and is passionate about helping young adults and children with autism, to guide them to a brighter and healthier future. When the time is right, she hopes to work as a full-time SNA and do what she is so passionate about to change many people’s lives.
The charity is also very close to Larina’s heart, as her five-year-old son Adam has a diagnosis of autism.
She says: “We live with the ups, downs and the great love at the end of the day and LOFFA is always at the end of the phone, for information or just a chat, not to mention their subsidy scheme to offset the price of private therapies. This is a major support to families alone. With the social outings organised for children and adults, LOFFA go above and beyond to help families in any way they can.”
The voluntary parent-run support group helps members in many different ways such as social outings, monthly meetings, coffee mornings and subsidy schemes to offset the cost of private therapies.
The non-profit organisation, which is a registered charity, receives no funding and relies entirely on public donations.
Donations are still coming in for the fundraiser, which remains open on the gofundme page Jump for LOFFA and had reached €4,205 by 26 October.
Darren said: “We are leaving the go fund me up for another couple of days, so if you haven’t donated or can spare a few coins we would be so grateful. At the end of all of this, it’s for an amazing charity. Every cent matters and we thank you all so much for the support so far and getting us to the amount we have at present.”
Darren Farrell, Laura Fogarty and Larina Kennelly set for the LOFFA skydive
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