Standing in solidarity: How this group raised more than $90,000
These are just some of Toowoomba’s generous souls who have braved the shave, to help the people and their families who have been impacted by cancer. Read their stories here.
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Not all good deeds go unnoticed and the Toowoomba locals who recently shaved, coloured or cut their hair for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave, are proof.
Here are just some of the generous souls who have braved the shave to help the people and their families who have been impacted by cancer.
Daughter’s special tribute: Raising It For Ronnie
Ronnie Peel had a heart of gold, always went above and beyond to help others and was an active cyclist.
Which is why it came as such a devastating shock to his family, when just three years after he cycled part of the Tour de France, he was diagnosed with Sarcoma – a rare and complex cancer of the bone and soft tissues.
Less than 15 months later, he passed away at the age of 65.
Now, his daughter Jodie O’Grady is shaving her head to honour her best mate and raise funds and awareness for the Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association.
“When someone you love so much is not well, you really want some sense of hope to hold on to, but because this cancer is so rare and there’s just no research out there, the prognosis really wasn’t great,” she said.
“I also wanted to shave my hair to make him proud – I’m sure wherever dad is now, he’d be having a chuckle at the thought of me being bald.”
A well-known figure in the community, Ronnie also ran the BP service station on the corner of Bridge and Mary streets, with his wife, for just under 20 years.
To remember her dad, who Jodie describes as her best mate, a painting now sits in the waiting room of her business Amaroo Wellness.
“My dad was a country man from the Snowy Mountains and when I was young, I remember we would drive from Toowoomba to the Snowy Mountains and we loved it so much because you’d see the stars in the sky and the imaginary dust storms in the horizon and the colours of this painting really reminded me of that,” Ms O’Grady said.
“I purchased it when dad went into hospital and the painting is called The Long Drive Home, so for me, I guess I think of it like Dad’s long drive home back to the earth or heaven.”
The event will be held at Cafe de Velo on the night of August 15.
In addition to Jodie’s big shave, there will also be an auction and canapes on the night.
Make a donation here or RSVP by emailing hello@amaroowellness.org.
Shave breaks stigma, makes giant impact
The senior class of Fairholme College has raised a combined amount of more than $60,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.
At least 50 students from the Toowoomba school cut their hair or shaved their head as part of the World’s Greatest Shave campaign.
Among those who offered to go for the full shave was Matilda Thurbin, 18, who sadly lost her great aunt to blood cancer.
“Her passing really impacted our family,” she said.
“So many families go through this, so I wanted to do my part, offer them support and help take some of the financial stress off their shoulders.”
Funds raised will help cover accommodation costs for those who have relocated for treatment and go towards further research to ultimately find a cure.
While Matilda was all too willing to brave the shave, it was an emotionally-charged experience with plenty of tears, smiles and hugs shared at the big event.
“I have always had long hair, and even as a baby I had a lot of hair,” she said.
“Another reason I wanted to do this is because I want to break down gender norms and the stigma of women not having hair.”
Individually, the high school senior raised $5000 in exchange for her hair which measured 30cm long.
To donate, click here.
Teens stand in solidarity for very worthy cause
Winter might be an interesting time to shave all your hair off, but these teens have zero regrets after raising funds and awareness for a very worthy cause.
Nineteen students and a staff member of Mary MacKillop Catholic College recently cut or shaved their heads for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
Among the brave volunteers was Year 11 student Jackson Stansell, who said he wanted to stand in solidarity with, and help, the thousands of families affected by a blood cancer diagnosis in Australia every year.
“This is the second time our school has participated in this fundraiser,” he said.
“Individually, I managed to raise about $1000 and collectively as a school, we’ve surpassed our goal, raising almost $9000.”
The 17-year-old, who grew out his hair in preparation for the big event, said he did not anticipate the temperature to drop so quickly and he had been wearing his beanie daily since the shave.
Impressively, students Isabelle Pannach and Paige Hahn chopped their 30cm long ponytails, which they also donated to make wigs for people receiving cancer treatments.
Donate online by clicking here.
Teen leads peers in kind-hearted gesture
Just three days after Bella Mauger’s grandfather was diagnosed with leukaemia, he lost his life.
The heartbreaking experience inspired the Australian Industry Trade College student to hold a World’s Greatest Shave event at her school.
“What was sad to know was the treatment he was going to receive was something they had been using for over 40 years and had a low success rate,” Bella said.
“With the money we have raised, people like my Pa and many others with relatives who have the same story, will be given the chance to receive better treatments.”
The Year 11 school-based barber apprentice cut or coloured the hair of 10 of her peers, along with a member of the teaching faculty.
It’s the first time the Toowoomba campus has held a World’s Greatest Shave event – an initiative led by Bella.
“We are privileged enough to be going to a private school and receiving an education while going to work,” she said.
“As a community, I believed we could do more so I suggested it to my school.”
The aim was to raise $1500, but the school as a whole has now reached more than $7000.
To donate, click here.
Tables turn for barber who says goodbye to long locks
For barber Nathan Flatley-Dean, cutting hair is a daily occurrence, but when the tables were turned and it was him getting the chop, it was a huge and sentimental moment for the Toowoomba man.
Mr Flatley-Dean who owns Allora Barbershop hosted an event for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave earlier this year and shaved his head alongside two others.
The barbershop owner said he was inspired by his dear nana, who although does not have Leukaemia, has been diagnosed with cancer four times over the course of two decades.
“Watching her go through the struggle every time, I just can’t possibly fathom what some of these families have to deal with,” Mr Flatley-Dean said.
“The first time she had cancer, it was in the late 90s and they gave her this God-awful wig for when her hair fell out … I always remember she never wore it because it was sort of this Dolly Parton looking beehive style.”
Not only did the loving grandson lose his long and luscious locks, but because it was completely natural and not dyed, he was able to donate it to help make wigs too.
The team which included Mr Flatley-Dean, Kurt Ross and a young lad named Alex, raised a combined total of $5337, smashing their $4000 goal.
Before the big event at the barbershop which was covered in orange and blue decorations, participants attended a yoga class in the park held by Jes Kerle.
“I would like to give a big thanks to Wild Sage Collective and The Railway Hotel Allora for their contributions, as well as Jes Kerle and everyone from the Allora community for their donations and support,” Mr Flatley-Dean said.
“Even if people don’t donate to our page, they can still donate to anyone’s page on the World’s Greatest Shave website, as you can hold an event at any time of year.”
Make a donation online by clicking here.
Big shave event unites school community
Through several fundraising initiatives, students and staff from Toowoomba State High School also made an impact for people and their families impacted by Leukaemia and blood cancer.
Co-ordinated by the school’s Student Representative Council, the event consisted of five people undergoing a shave, while five others opted for waxing.
President of the Student Representative Council Lily Zupp said it was a great event that brings the entire school community together for a great cause every year.
“One of our participants was able to raise $2000 on her own and another’s hair was so long he was able to donate it to charity,” she said.
“We held the event at our school during lunch where the students could come and watch the shavers and waxers get their hair removed.”
Through various fundraising activities including hair colouring, face painting, free dress days and more, the school raised more than $4000, exceeding their $3000 target.
The hairdressers on the day were kindly supplied by Tafe.
Click here to donate.