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<\/p>\nYOUNG Saya Turnley knew she wanted to help others after feeling sad when her mum\u2019s hair fell out during cancer treatment in 2018.<\/p>\n
The 11-year-old from Hamlyn Heights \u2013 who was just eight at the time \u2013 set her mind on raising money for Cancer Council Victoria and decided chopping off her beautiful long locks was a sacrifice she could make.<\/p>\n
That small sacrifice has turned into a whole lot of fundraising and the determined Grade 6 student from Holy Spirit Primary School has already smashed her original target.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first goal was $500 but my mum was like \u2018you\u2019re going to get that really easily, I think you should raise it to $1000\u2019,\u201d Saya explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I raised my goal to $1000 and we raised $1000. Then I raised my goal again to $1500 and now I\u2019ve passed that which is really good.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the time of going to print Saya had raised more than $1900 ahead of the big chop which happens on June 19.<\/p>\n
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Saya\u2019s other motivation for chopping off her hair was to donate it to Sustainable Salons \u2013 an organisation which turns ponytails into charitable wigs or sells them to fund life-changing programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in Year 3 and mum got diagnosed with cancer and it was really sad but then I was also upset because my mum was losing her hair and she had such long, beautiful hair,\u201d Saya recalled.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was lucky to have access to a wig and my idea of keeping my hair and donating it to turn into a wig started at this point.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne day, someone may need the wig like my mum did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saya said her mum, Kiyoe, was now feeling great.<\/p>\n
She said everyone was getting behind her fundraising effort including her dad, Gavan, and her little brother Huga, 9, who is planning to get his mullet cut off as a show of support.<\/p>\n
\u201cMum and dad were not surprised about my idea \u2013 they just said \u2018great\u2019 because they kind of knew it was coming because I was talking about it for two or three years now,\u201d Saya said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I told my teacher he was like \u2018oh yeah, that\u2019s great, we can support you for sure\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n