More than 100 students at Merewether High School will soon make a bold move to support a cause close to their hearts. 

On Thursday 24 March the Year 12 pupils will participate in the World’s Greatest Shave in a bid to raise money for the Leukemia Foundation. 

They’ll either shave, chop or colour their hair to “shave the world from blood cancer”. 

School prefect Eshal Khalid says it’s an opportunity for them to give back.

“It’s really important to us,” she said. 

“It’s nice that we can make a difference in someone’s life when we don’t even know them.”

Fifty people are diagnosed with blood cancer every single day and another 15 lose their battle – the youngsters are hoping to help change that.

The group’s goal is to raise $80,000 for the charity.

With more than $64,000 already collected, they’re on track to reach their target. 

For the school, the shave has become a tradition, in 2021 the Year 12 cohort raised more than $70,000 while the year before that donated $52,000. 

Over the years hundreds of students have made the brave and selfless move to part with their hair.

To help collect the money the pupils have hosted sausage sizzles, out of uniform events and crazy sock days. 

Their main fundraiser though is a raffle. 

The prefect body, which consists of 20 people, have been hard at work sourcing prizes from local businesses. 

At $5 a ticket, participants have the chance to win a four-person reservation at Chevals Restaurant valued at $600, a signed Newcastle Knights jersey, golf vouchers, a bluetooth speaker and so much more. 

Eshal encourages everyone to buy a ticket, she says it’s a great way to donate to their campaign. 

“It’s an easy way for people to contribute and it’s a fun way for us to generate community discussion and support and create an event where more individuals can learn about the foundation and how to support it,” she said. 

To donate to the school’s campaign, go to the World’s Greatest Shave website. To purchase a ticket in their Raffle for a Remedy, click here.

BEFORE

Talara, Yolande, Jonathan, Charlie, Sophia and Eshal are going to look different at the end of the month.

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