Three Forbes residents who braved this year’s World’s Greatest Shave for a Cure have raised more than $13,000 so far.
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Scarlett Garland was inspired to shave her long blond hair off for the Leukaemia Foundation after her little sister Ava’s leukaemia diagnosis.
Ava lost her hair with the treatment, Scarlett lost hers to the razor on Monday.
She was joined by friend and neighbour Tom Maslin and their school bus driver ‘Dorsey’ Uphill who had his moustache off for only the second time in his life.
Before the shave, at St Laurence’s school assembly yesterday morning, the trio had raised more than $13,000.
Kathy Garland, mum of Scarlett and Ava as well as Olivia, Polly and Willa, said the family had seen the work of the Leukaemia Foundation first hand while based at Westmead for Ava’s treatment for more than six months.
It includes accommodation for those having treatment in Sydney as well as information and support for patients and their families.
The World’s Greatest Shave website says $2000 funds a major blood cancer research project for one week; $4800 funds three months of laboratory costs for a research project to discover better treatments for blood cancer.
$10,000 provides support to help 300 families overcome the initial shock and stress of being diagnosed.
Overwhelmed by the fundraising so far, Mrs Garland and husband Andrew cannot thank Forbes enough for the support they’ve received since Ava’s diagnosis mid-2016.
Locals – both those they know and those who recognise Ava - have reached out to help them in ways too numerous to mention.
“Forbes is pretty much the best place in the world to live,” Mrs Garland said.
To support the kids go to worldsgreatestshave.com.au and search for Scarlett Garland or Tom Maslin. This will take you to their pages where you can leave a message of support or make a donation.
To sponsor Dorsey – who also let them shave off his hair and eyebrows - see Alison Uphill at HelloWorld in Templar Street.
Locals have also rallied to raise funds for the family – there was a fancy dress fundraiser last weekend and Opera 4 Ava is coming up on April 8.
Three Opera Australia stars are coming to Forbes for the performance, tickets are $85 at Hazell and Field or opera4ava@gmail.com
More information www.facebook.com/opera4ava
