GRETA Carey has been formally recognised for her outstanding efforts as part of this year's Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave for a Cure.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 18-year-old was not only successful in raising the highest amount of any individual in Victoria, she also finished in ninth place nationally.
Greta joined the other top 29 individuals at an awards ceremony at the Pumphouse Hotel in Fitzroy, Melbourne, where it was announced she had won the statewide fundraising award.
"It was very exciting. I was a little nervous as they started presenting the awards," she said.
"Everyone was just getting the one award, so I was a bit shocked when I was presented with two."
Greta was given two glass trophies and a rapturous round of applause for her final total of $23,663.35.
Her mum and dad, Geraldine and Peter, were by her side and she remains grateful for all the support she has received over the fundraising journey.
"I want to say a big thank you to everyone who donated," she said.
"It didn't matter who it was, family, friends or strangers, they all gave me a little bit, whether it be through online donations, buying a raffle ticket or sausage sizzle outside of Woolworths.
"I'd like to thank the crew at the Leukaemia Foundation for a great night and a big thank you to my friends and family for all the love and support they have given me."
Mother, Geraldine said her daughter had shown great sincerity, empathy and compassion throughout her fundraising campaign.
"She has done none of this for her own self gain,” Mrs Carey said.
“Greta has done it all for the good of other people, so that's pretty amazing for an 18-year-old.”
Greta used her own initiative to raise a lot of the donations.
She held sausage sizzles outside Woolworths in Stawell, made scrunchies and jewellery that she sold to friends and children at schools and babysat, with all the money she earned from that donated to the cause.
Greta's fundraising efforts culminated at the Stawell Gold Cup meeting at Easter when she braved the razor and shed all 93 centimetres of her hair in front of a cheering crowd.
Greta will continue to work locally in Stawell, but is thinking about doing an allied health assistance course in Ballarat next year.
