Most of the time reporting the news is just that - report a story and move on.

In this business you have to because if you get caught up in it and start thinking about it personally it can get to you.

But last week a social media trend caught my eye and made me think for a bit - #nomakeupselfie went viral and raised much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society - it's now well over a million euro and continues.

I too wanted to do something to raise a few bob for the charity.

I immediately thought - sure why not put on some make-up and post a selfie on twitter and facebook? Maybe even get some of my colleagues to do it too? I had no idea that #makeupselfiefortheguys was already happening.

So some of my colleagues have already beaten me to it:

From top left: Ivan Yates, Shane Coleman, Sean Moncrieff and Jonathan Healy don some war paint for #makeupselfie

But I heard an ad for daffodil day on Friday March 28th and I realised there was no turning back.

My Dad, Michael Gallagher, died on March 28th 1999 from cancer and so I’ve always been a keen advocate of any support for the charity.

And I knew that every piece of publicity, large or small, would be vital. And daffodil day had struggled to raise funds last year because of the weather, I felt I needed to do my bit.

I set up a 'my charity' page - and if on reading this you'd like to donate - €2 or more can be contributed trough the page.

The ‘selfie’ will appear here and on social media at lunchtime today. I’ve decided to go all out – proper full make-up. 

Páraic's 'before' shot

And I have to thank Karen Bowers (@athomepampering) who is giving up her time and service to do it – even going to try out a new purple lipstick she informed me last night. 

The past week has been about getting maximum fundraising – so far I’ve collected over €260.

Or if you pass a daffodil day seller today, buy a pin or a bunch of those sweet yellow flowers - because the money could well ease someone's pain or suffering.

And it would be wonderful to think that on this day next year, the year after, or in another 15 years there was a cure for cancer - all with the help of the money Irish people handed over to celebrate spring and the start of life.