By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
PAKENHAM local Dylan Wright, who raised $1300 as part of a T20 cricket fund-raiser in 2013 for a young cricket fan with leukaemia, will this year be shaving his long locks for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
Dylan, 21, is a friend of the Sleep family and eight-year-old Seth Sleep who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2012.
“I remember first meeting Seth at the Narre South Cricket Club Milo, I did a working bee in his backyard and I noticed that Seth absolutely loves cricket and wanted to play with me for hours.”
Dylan has helped build Seth a cubby house as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation along with raising almost $30,000 in the T20 cricket match.
“I saw an advertisement on TV for the shave, and it instantly popped into my head that Seth should cut my pony tail and beard off,” Dylan said.
This won’t be the first time Dylan has shaved for the Leukaemia Foundation, participating twice before at nine and 10 years old.
“I remember having no access to a mirror for another three hours after the first shave. As soon as I got home, I ran to the mirror and took my hat off in total disbelief,” Dylan said.
“I felt like it would take a lifetime to grow back and I have a slight feeling it’s going to feel the same way this time around,” he said.
Dylan has set himself the task of raising $1500 for the blood cancer fund-raiser which runs from 12 to 15 March.
With hair past his shoulders, Dylan hasn’t cut his hair since May 2013.
“I think the long hair will definitely make a comeback, whether my girlfriend likes it or not,” he said.
Dylan’s shave will be held at Andrew’s Barber Shop in Beaconsfield on Saturday 14 March.
Thirty-one Australians receive the devastating news that they have leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma every day, and the Leukaemia Foundation is encouraging everyone to be brave and shave or colour their hair to raise money for a worthy cause. Many schools will hold a ‘Funky Hair Day’ and tradesmen can participate in the tradie challenge.
“Seeing the physical, mental and financial damage leukaemia can do, I now know what these families need and that’s all the help that they can get,” Dylan said.
