By REBECCA BILLS
SHE is a brave and determined young lady who wants to help in any way she can.
Mount Evelyn 11-year-old student Keira O’Connor has decided to shave her hair for the World’s Greatest Shave event, donating her luscious locks to be made into a wig for a leukaemia sufferer.
Keira said she was inspired by her aunt who participated in the event nearly four years ago.
“I thought about doing it for a while and then just decided to do it,” she said.
“My aunty has given me lots of advice and lots of scarfs for my head when I get cold.
“I’ve organised for my next door neighbour to do the shave as she is a hairdresser.”
Despite concerns from her primary school, the school has agreed to let Keira do the shave in front of her grade six classmates on 13 March.
Keira mother Felicity Wooden said she is very proud of her daughter’s courageous decision.
“For an 11-year-old to lose her hair in her final year of primary school as she has production and graduation this year is a big thing,” she said.
“She has been thinking about doing this since October last year, it hasn’t been a spur of the moment decision.
“Keira has really researched into the cause and I think she will look great with short hair.”
Keira initially set a target of $1000 to raise for the cause but has already reached more than $2000.
“I want to make my goal higher now,” she said.
“It makes me feel really happy that people are taking the time to help with research for cancer.
“I’m hoping to get to $2500.”
Ms Wooden said she could not believe how much money her daughter had raised.
“I think she has done really well and it’s for a wonderful cause,” she said.
Anyone who would like more information on Keira O’Connor’s shave or anyone who wants to sponsor her efforts can visit leukaemiafoundation.org.au, click sponsor and search Keira O’Connor.
