More than 100 children – many of them here in Macarthur – will soon receive a Bravery Buddies companion doll – thanks to a wonderful community event on Saturday morning.
And it was literally a community effort from a lot of people at Minto Mall that raised more than $3,100.
A local group called the Autism Challenge organised the big shave and three generous women, Julie, Belinda and Chelle, volunteered to have their heads shaved for the cause.
Several others, including MC for the Big Shave, Campbelltown councillor Darcy Lound, agreed to have their hair sprayed.
Giving their time for a good cause were Jo from Just Cuts Macarthur Square, Brooke from Alluring Hair & Beauty Ingleburn and Liz Oddy the Hairspray Queen, one of the organisers for the Big Shave.
Kyla, an Eschol Park resident who is an ambassador for Bravery Buddies, also took part in the event. Kyla lost her hair when she was just 11; now she’s ambassador while her mum runs Bravery Buddies events.
But it wasn’t just older women who shaved their heads for this great cause.
The perfectly healthy youngster pictured above, Bella, just wanted to help out so she volunteered to have her head shaved at Minto Mall on Saturday morning to raise funds for Bravery Buddies to distribute more companion dolls in the community.
These special dolls send the message “you are not alone”, according to the Bravery Buddies website.
“They are inclusive dolls for both boys and girls of different ethnicities created to offer comfort and bring a glimmer of joy to the lives of children affected by cancer.
“Bravery Buddies have no hair, just like a lot of children who are battling cancer or alopecia [baldness].
“The aim is for the dolls’ physical appearance to help sick kids feel like they’ve got an empathetic friend on their side. To be able to look at their special friend and think, hey, you’re just like me.”
More than 6,000 Bravery Buddies dolls have been distributed across Australia since the charity was established five years ago.
“It was a great privilege to help out the Autism Challenge raise funds for Bravery Buddies,’’ says Cr Lound.
“Thank you to all involved, especially Minto Mall for hosting the event and Councillors Masood Chowdhury and Karen Hunt for joining us.
“And thank you also to our stars of the day that got the big shave, Julie, Belinda and Chelle – and little Bella – and everyone else, as well and many friends who dropped in to donate.
“Thank you to all that helped out for a great cause,’’ Cr Lound said.
