Stanthorpe’s Connie Taylor is sitting third in Australia for money raised in this year’s Leukeamia Foundations Shave (or Cut in this case) for A Cure Event.
In front of a large crowd at her family’s business Taylor’s Family Produce in Amiens late last month, Connie lost her long locks for charity and currently has $19,279 and counting headed to the Leukeamia Foundation – it’s all thanks to the Covid Lockdown.
Connie, who turned 50 during lockdown, decided to do something special, using the time to grow long hair with the original plan just to donate her hair for wigs. However, she soon decided to also take part in the Leukeamia Foundation’s hair-cut fundraiser.
Setting herself a total of $2000 in the beginning, the Amien’s resident said she had been humbled by the support shown to her by the local community.
“It was amazingly awesome, unbelievable,” Connie enthused.
“I am $19,279, I do have some cash to bank this afternoon and I think there might be about $180 there.
“We think we had near 90 people on the day, I’m immensely blown away by this. I really didn’t plan to raise anything at the start, I just wanted to donate my hair and then I thought I’d donate $2000 and to have nearly $20,000, that’s just unbelievable.
“I’m very appreciative. It’s overwhelming for me, that’s probably the most exciting part for me, that there is so many people who have supported my wish to do this. This was my wish, not anybody elses and they have all supported me through this. It’s just unbelievable and extremely humbling. I feel so so blessed.”
She said as well as those on the ground on the day, which included her very supportive family, there were a lot watching it on lifestream. Originally there had been thoughts that one of her two sons may also join in and shave his hair cut too.
“Unfortunately for us because it’s a working day for us on the farm, they didn’t have the time to do so, they had to go back to work,” Connie said.
“My husband isn’t happy I have short hair again, but he understands why I’ve done it and he’s very proud of me.”
Despite calls from some friends, Connie resisted the call to completely shave her head.
“I have a little buzz cut, and it’s so much cooler, the past couple of days I’ve thought thank goodness I’ve cut it off,” she laughed.
“This hot spell we’ve had over that past week has been crazy.”
While Connie has raised a lot of money for the Shave for a Cure, she hasn’t forgotten her original plan with her hair already on it’s way to become a wig or two.
“The hair has gone off to Sustainable Salons,” she said.
“It will now be put to wigs, my hairdresser has enrolled to be a Sustainable Salon – Emily of Ems Hair Studio. She did it all really, she cut it and put it in a bag to send off.
“People can still donate though, cash if they want to send that or via the World’s Greatest Shave webpage link.”
