Rebecca raises over $2000 shaving for a cure
On 18 March, seamstress Rebecca Manning from the Serco Defence Clothing Store on RAAF Base Pearce shaved off her long locks in support of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
The Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave began back in 1998 and is now one of Australia’s biggest fundraising events. The donations help give Aussie families impacted by blood cancer the emotional and practical support they need, as well as funding vital research into blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukaemia, and myeloma. Claiming more lives than breast cancer or melanoma, blood cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in Australia. Every day 35 people will be diagnosed with the disease.
Outside work Rebecca is a member of WA Roller Derby league (WARD). This year, thirteen of their skaters, officials, and bench coaches decided to take the plunge together and shave their heads for a good cause. With an original goal of fundraising $5,000, the team has gone on to raise an amazing $10,615.80.
Rebecca has raised $2,162.30 towards the team’s goal, and some of this has been with the help of our Serco colleagues.
“I have been absolutely blown away by the generous donations of family, friends, and the members and staff of RAAF Base Pearce! But also by the wonderful support of base command 25 SQN in so quickly getting behind my fundraising campaign” Rebecca said.
“I have wanted to take part in the World’s Greatest Shave for a few years now, but the idea of doing it by myself was a little intimidating. So when one of our WARD members decided to put a team together I jumped on board right away.”
“Shaving my hair seemed like such a small individual contribution on my part when the money raised has the potential to create a little positive change for people going through an incredibly difficult time in their lives.”
The new hairdo is taking some getting used to. “For the first few days I couldn’t stop rubbing my hands through it – it just felt weird!” Rebecca laughed. “I actually really like the new look though and it’s certainly much lower maintenance!”
To find out more, visit Rebecca’s World’s Greatest Shave page on the Leukaemia Foundation site.