Locks chopped to honour Nan
Holding her brown locks of hair in her hands, Baldivis 16-year-old Amberley Sparkes said shaving her head was definitely worth it.
The Tranby College student said she decided to take part in the Leukaemia Foundation's Greatest Shave to help make a difference after losing a loved one to cancer.
"I've been running a campaign for a year and a half because I watched my Nan die of lung cancer and the thing that affected me the most was how much it affected other people," she said.
"I wanted to make a change, I wanted to do something different so others could benefit.
"I chose the Leukaemia Foundation because they not only support research but lots of the funds go towards supporting families and communities, which is what I thought was really important." Amberley said she still could not believe her hair was gone.
"It still doesn't feel real - it's a bit unbelievable at the moment but I'll get used to it," she said.
On top of fundraising, Amberley also volunteers at a retirement home and bakes muffins for Soul Soup Patrol.
"I have so many things that other people don't have, an awesome family, amazing friends, a great community and support system and a lot of people don't have that or food, or clothes," she said.
"I feel privileged to be able to give back to people who, out of no fault of their own, are suffering."
Amberley's mother, Natasha, said she was extremely proud of her daughter.
Amberley reached her fundraising goal of $2000 thanks to a $500 donation from the Baldivis Lions Club and support from students.
