Thirteen-year-old Rory Cloonan with his dad Brian and his soon-to-be-no-more orange afro. Benefits from his sponsored haircut will go to research at the Mater

With his Boogie Nights mop of red curly hair, Rory Cloonan is the most recognised teenager in Tullamore.

Although the afro look went out of vogue with the Jackson Five back in the 1970s it has never bothered Rory, whose individual style and look has been a sense of amusement to residents and visitors alike in the midlands town.

But it will be a case of 'hair today gone tomorrow' when the second-year Coláiste Choilm student travels to Dublin with his parents Brian and Rhona to get his hair cropped for cancer research.

Thirteen-year-old Rory has decided to go for the chop and donate his curls to the charity Locks of Love, which provides hairpieces for children who are suffering from hair loss. Rory has asked people to sponsor his hair cut. All monies raised will go to benefit cancer research at the Mater Hospital.

The idea came about after a chance encounter in Tullamore when Rory was approached by a girl whose mother had been diagnosed with cancer.

"I was walking down town during the summer minding my own business when this girl came over and admired my hair. She asked me if I would ever think of getting my head shaved for cancer research," Rory said. "Even though I get lots of slagging from my friends and school mates I like the way I look but after talking to my parents I gave it serious consideration.

"I went to a few hairdressers in the town and they advised me that it could take up to six to eight months for all my hair to grow back. Apart from a brief trim, I haven't had my hair cut in years and after Monday it will be years before I have another hair cut. But it's for a good cause and all the monies raised will go directly to professor Des Carney and his research team at the Mater Hospital in Dublin."

Top stylist Cassie McNulty from the Fitzwilliam Hotel will be at the top of Grafton Street in Dublin at 5.30pm tomorrow to unveil the new Rory.