Shave supports cancer cause

THREE much-loved community members shaved their beards for a cause last weekend.

Mick Ellis along with Simon Bradley and Graham Turnbull shaved off their beards to raise funds for the leukemia foundation.

Mr Ellis, who has been a teacher and active community member for over 40 years, was diagnosed with blood cancer at the start of February.

Jaymee Ellis, Mr Ellis’ daughter who encouraged him to take part in this shave and said the event is a nod to his past.

“It’s a bit of a full circle story because 11 years ago almost to the day dad did a shave for a cure event at Ross Creek Primary School where he was a teacher,” she said.

“He was famous for having a beard and one of the kids dared him to do it.

“We thought let’s try and raise some money and awareness and it’s the first time in the 11 years since that he’s shaved his beard off.”

The event was hosted by the Smythesdale Country Market with local barber Heaven & Earth providing their skills for the shave.

Visitors could also get their hair spraypainted in crazy colours for a gold coin donation.

Ms Ellis said the support from the community was outstanding.

“Dad’s really active in the community so he’s really well known but the outreach of support has been quite incredible,” she said.

“We’ve had people reach out to him that he hasn’t seen in 10 years.”

Mick Ellis hopes the money raised can have an impact where it is most needed.

“I’m sure the people in charge of the research know where the money will be best spent and we’re confident they’ll spend it where it’s going to be best used,” he said.

“This is something that can affect anyone, and I don’t care what sort of disease it is, if we can get a handle on these things and make it easier for people than all the better.”