Toowoomba electrician Marcus Smit, son Sam and others shave head to raise funds for Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave

Over the course of only 14 days, the lives of a Toowoomba family were turned upside down by shocking health news. Now a group of sparkies and university students have banded together to raise $10,000 for a worthy cause.

Father of three Marcus Smit developed abnormal bruising across his body, mouth ulcers, a painful leg vein and was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia all in just two weeks.

Less than 24 hours after receiving the diagnosis in June last year, the Toowoomba man was admitted to a Brisbane hospital where he remained for eight weeks while he received treatment.

Marcus Smit is recovering from leukaemia, pictured with his son Sam Smit. Picture: Nev Madsen

“I have three young children so it had a huge impact on us all,” Mr Smit said.

“At the time it took a lot of work and logistics – my son (Sam) even dropped some of his university subjects to help out.

“I just took it in my stride and got on with it I suppose.”

Passionate about giving back to the community and the Leukaemia Foundation, Mr Smit, who is now in remission, shaved his head for the World’s Greatest Shave campaign.

Last week, the electrician by trade was joined by 10 other sparkies, as well as his two sons and their friends who also shaved their heads for the worthy cause.

Marcus Smit is recovering from leukaemia, pictured with his son Sam Smit. Picture: Nev Madsen

The fundraising event was hosted by Clipsal and sponsored by Hayman’s on James St.

Together the team has raised more than $10,000 but Mr Smit said the foundation accepts donations all year round so there was still time to help families in need.

“The Leukaemia Foundation put my family up in their Coopers Plains facility for those eight weeks and they do a lot for the families of people receiving treatment especially from rural areas,” Mr Smit said.

“For me it was really important to give back to them so they can continue helping those families.

“To have so many guys jump on board for the shave and help raise this kind of money just proves the Toowoomba community really bands together.”

The 47-year-old said leukaemia did not run in his family and did not only affect young people, encouraging the public to always prioritise their health and get abnormalities checked.

He said he was “at the mercy” of medical staff but planned to hop back on the tools later this year.

After Marcus Smit was diagnosed with leukaemia, a group of sparkies and his two sons were inspired to shave their heads for the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave.

Marcus Smit and his two sons post shave.

Sam Smit and a group of his friends pre-shave.

Sam Smit and a group of his friends post shave.