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UPDATE, Monday: FOUR-YEAR-OLD Allyrah Whiteman could not be more proud of her newly shaved head.
She shed her long locks on Saturday to raise money and awareness of the Leukaemia Foundation.
Her hair will be used to make a wig for cancer patients.
Allyrah’s mother, Skye Whiteman, said ‘proud’ just didn’t cover how she felt.
“I’m honoured to call her mine,” she said.
The World’s Greatest Shave event at the Hibernian Hotel in Golden Square on Saturday propped Allyrah over the half-way mark of her $2000 fundraising goal.
Her family has organised a second fundraising event for April 2 at Bendigo Cinemas – a screening of the new Smurfs movie, from 2pm.
Ms Whiteman said people unable to attend could still donate to Allyrah’s campaign here.
Keen to share your story? Email us at addynews@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
EARLIER, Friday: At four years old, Allyrah Whiteman knows what it’s like for a loved one to be seriously ill.
Her baby sister Brydee was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia when she was five and a half months old.
The two-year-old endured a bone marrow transplant and six months of chemotherapy in the battle to beat Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia.
Brydee’s cancer has been in remission since mid last year.
The girls’ mother, Skye Whiteman, said Allyrah had been inspired by her sister’s strength and courage.
“Her words were, ‘If Brydee can be brave I can too,’” Mrs Whiteman said.
On Saturday, Allyrah is participating in the World’s Greatest Shave.
Mrs Whiteman said her daughter was aiming to raise $2000 for the Leukaemia Foundation with her event at the Hibernian Hotel – money that will assist other families tackling blood cancer.
Allyrah is also donating her hair, which she has been growing to especially long lengths so it can be used to create a wig for a little girl with cancer.
“She’s so excited,” Mrs Whiteman said.
Though she joked that her daughter’s enthusiasm might be related to the end of knotty hair, she said the campaign was inspired by Allyrah’s adoration of Brydee.
“It’s just a sister love,” she said.
She said she had to persuade Allyrah to wait a year to do the World’s Greatest Shave so her hair would be a suitable length to donate.
The event at the Hibernian Hotel starts at 2pm on Saturday and is open to the public.
To donate to Allyrah’s campaign online, click here.