Townsville: Kobe Chun-Tie sits atop cancer fundraiser leaderboard

A Townsville youngster who has climbed to the top of Australia’s fundraising leaderboard is set to cap things off in style.

Bohlevale State School year 6 student, Kobe Chun Tie is growing his hair for the 'Ponytail Project' to raise funds for the Cancer Council. Picture: Shae Beplate.

A Townsville 10-year-old who began fundraising for the Cancer Council to honour his late great grandfather has raised the most of anyone in the country.

Kobe Chun-Tie has been growing his hair for more than a year as part of the ‘Ponytail Project’.

The Cancer Council initiative challenges people to grow their hair as long as possible, have their community fundraise to support them, and then donate the hair and money to those in need.

Bohlevale State School year 6 student, Kobe Chun Tie is growing his hair for the 'Ponytail Project' to raise funds for the Cancer Council. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Kobe’s mother, Melanie, said her son plans to donate his hair to Gluyas Rotary Lodge in Townsville at a Ponytail Project launch event at the end of the month.

“The purpose of this event will be to raise much needed funds which will be donated directly to Gluyas Lodge in Townsville to help our community who are affected by cancer, and create awareness of the vital work that the Cancer Council Queensland provides,” Ms Chun-Tie said.

Her son’s efforts have already raised $8767 for the initiative, putting him atop the leaderboard for individual fundraisers in the country.

The hair-raising effort has already taken over 12 months to come to fruition, and with planning for the #RockTheChop launch event, the fundraiser still has one more massive hurdle to clear.

Bohlevale State School year 6 student, Kobe Chun Tie is growing his hair for the 'Ponytail Project' to raise funds for the Cancer Council. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“We’ll have a family friendly fete style rock concert showcasing some of Townsville’s young musical performers,” Ms Chun-Tie said.

“With thanks to the Townsville City Council, PUFT and Star 106.3 we will have food trucks, a coffee van, jumping castles, face painting, coloured hair spray, a raffle draw, lives crosses from the event by Star 106.3 and of course Kobe’s big chop.”

A massive host of other events and activities will also be held at the event, which will be held in Strand Park, at 4pm on October 30.

“He’s not only made us all so incredibly proud, but we know that his great grandfather Chuck would be very proud of what he has achieved as well.”

To donate, visit the Ponytail Project at https://bit.ly/3ezBAxD

Originally published as Townsville: Kobe Chun-Tie sits atop cancer fundraiser leaderboard