WELL, HELLO DOLLYS!

Nearly 1000 bewigged lookalikes gathered in Ireland to honour the legendary country singer

- NOKUTHULA ZWANE-EJIKE

CURLY, big blonde hair; balloon boobs; ankle boots; a checked shirt; and a guitar are the things that would best describe Dolly Parton (77) if she was seen in town roaming the streets.

But this is not the actual American country singer who was spotted roaming the streets of Listowel in County Kerry, Ireland. Just under 1000 Dolly lookalikes dolled up to honour her.

The sea of blonde wigs in the small town came out on 24 June to set the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Dolly Parton.

Although organisers counted more than 1100 Dolly lookalikes, the Guinness World Record adjudicators confirmed that there were in fact 959 Dollys, but that was enough to break the record.

The award-winning singer's cult following saw residents of Kerry as old as 95 participating in the event.

This attempt was far from just a fun fair. The aim was to assist and create awareness for two cancer charities, Kerry Hospice Foundation and Comfort for Chemo Kerry.

The Kerry Hospice Foundation is a voluntary organisation that provides funding and support for palliative care services in Kerry.

Comfort for Chemo Kerry aims to fund a new chemotherapy unit and build a facility for Kerry cancer patients to undergo oncology treatment within the county.

The event's chairperson, Cora O'Brien, told Guinness World Records the money raised would stay in the county and help people in need.

"The foundation has been instrumental in offering medical treatment, compassion and dignity to those who are in the final stages of their life; some of us on the committee have witnessed this care first-hand and have had family members use this service, Cora says.