Power of community shines at Echuca-Moama Shave fundraiser

More than 350 people packed into the beer garden of the American Hotel as a raft of locals lost their locks for a great cause.

The event, organised by teenager Asha Davies, had hopes of raising $10,000 for local families in the Echuca-Moama region directly affected by cancer.

“Money raised will help with the burden of travel and living-away-from-home costs for families as they are required to leave here to seek medical treatment in Melbourne,” Asha said.

Such was the support from many throughout the twin towns, the final fundraising tally will exceed $30,000.

More than 30 locals, ranging from Cyrus Stafrace, 7, to Oma Trees, inspired to shave her head to support granddaughter Gypsy Van de Zand, who is living with cancer, got up on stage to lose their locks.

Gypsy was the inspiration behind Asha, a Year 11 student at St Joseph’s College, launching the fundraiser.

Asha called in good mates Emily Kerr, Mali Jones and Netti McCoy to provide support, and the wave of positivity powered all the way through to Sunday night.

An auction was staged to determine the first person to have their head shaved.

“$100 for the grey-haired bloke,” proved one of the early bids.

The “grey-haired bloke” was Paddy Casey, no stranger to raising funds for cancer.

He raised more than $15,000 across three years as part of the Great Cycle Challenge until injury forced him off the bike.

Paddy said his involvement in Sunday’s event was personal.

“My brother Graham passed away from cancer, as did my cousin H (Helen),” he said.

Despite some spirited bidding, it was fitting the top price was $3600 for Asha.

The heartbeat of the fundraiser became the first person to lose their locks, with help from the team at High St Barber.

Tears were shed by her friends as the clippers cut a swathe through Asha’s hair.

All the hard work, dedication and effort to stage an event of this magnitude, boiled down to this point.

Asha’s range of emotions were clearly visible as she received warm applause from the crowd and after stepping down from the stage was warmly embraced by a collection of her friends.

“It feels quite different,” Asha told The Riv about her new look.

“It’s been a day full of emotions for me.

“It is wonderful to see some many people here today and the reason they are here is supporting this event.

“The atmosphere has been great, it is a day I’ll never forget.

“The whole day has just exceeded every expectation.”

Asha thanked all the local businesses and people who threw their support behind the event, the American Hotel for donating the venue as hosts, everyone who donated to the cause, all the participants who lost their locks and saved a special mention for her mum Jacqui (Wegener).

“Mum has given me 110 per cent support, she has just been great,” Asha said.

Little Cyrus, who a Year 1 student at St Mary’s Primary School, was one of the other stars of the day.

His mum Holly had the honour of cutting his impressive head of hair as Cyrus said his grandma was the reason for him deciding to lose his locks.

Those personal stories continued throughout the day, with each person sharing the story of cancer has impacted on their loved ones.

The fundraiser was expertly helmed by MC Ryan Quirk, Century21’s Beau Lyon did a terrific job as the auctioneer and the TJ Show provided musical entertainment.

In addition to the on-stage activities, a silent auction with a range of items and raffles, all helped propel the fundraising tally to three times more than expected.

That says it all about an event with heart and the tremendous people who put it all together.