Losing locks for leukaemia

Brave young Kylie Kirk has her lovely locks shaved off by Christine Pratt and raises $300 for the Leukaemia Foundation by participating in The World’s Greatest Shave.

Max Fleet

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World's Greatest Shave 2010

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GREG Brady and his two daughters showed their true colours on Saturday by dyeing their hair during the World’s Greatest Shave event.

Mr Brady is a passionate supporter of the Leukaemia Foundation’s annual fundraiser because the organisation supported him and his family when his son Jarryd was diagnosed with brain cancer.

After a four-year battle with the disease Jarryd, who was affectionately called George by his family, lost his life five years ago.

He was diagnosed at 18 months old and died aged five.

“We stayed at the Leukaemia Village in Brisbane,” Mr Brady said.

“They helped us with accommodation and pretty well everything.

“They made life easier for us at that stage. It’s pretty hard to get your head around without dealing with other daily things as well.”

Mr Brady decided on a bright pink hue for his hair at the Hinkler Central event.

“It makes my eyes stand out,” he joked.

In other shave events, BSES staff member Vicki Barden was light-headed after losing the locks she had been growing for 20 years.

Ms Barden raised more than $2000 in the lead-up to the big cut, which took place at headquarters on Friday.

“I was pretty well prepared for it,” she said.

“It was about time I cut my hair and thought I would raise some money to do it.”

Bundaberg Hospital Rehabilitation Unit staff also took the plunge with the clippers on Thursday.

Other hospital employees supported the nurses and nurse unit manager by participating in various raffles and making donations.

One of the now hairless nurses, Bernie Williams, said the team had decided to raise money that helped support patients and their families when they needed it the most.

“It can be extremely devastating for the patient, and the battle they face even with support from family and friends can be tough,” she said.