ASHLEIGH Evans-Schott is only 16 but she is leading a team of young people in an effort to raise funds for the World’s Greatest Shave.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On February 6 at 10.30am Ashleigh will take a seat at the Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network in Ararat and submit to the razor.
All of her hair will be shaved off and she will donate it to the Leukaemia Foundation’s Sustainable Salons, where hair clippings will be turned into wigs.
Central Grampians LLEN has formed a team of Thursday group participants to back Ashleigh, and others will also fundraise on the day by getting their hair dyed.
Together the team is aiming to raise $1000.
Ashleigh is the only one who will undergo the chop though, and this is the first time she has done the World’s Greatest Shave.
“My family has a history of cancer and I’ve seen a lot people doing this kind of thing to raise money and awareness for it,” she said.
“I thought it was a really good opportunity to raise money and awareness for it (too).
“My great grandmother has had breast cancer and had both her breasts removed I believe.”
Ashleigh said the reality of the decision to shave all of her hair off was still sinking in.
“I don’t think it’s quite hit me just yet how big of a thing this is,” she said.
The less extreme option of dyeing her hair wasn’t an option for Ashleigh.
“I’ve dyed my hair before, I’ve been in and out of dyeing my hair different colours so it wasn’t an impact to me to do something like that, and I decided if I’m going to do it I’m going to go all the way in,” she said.
Ashleigh has plenty of support behind her, which is great news because she thinks she “definitely” has it in her to do it again in the future.
“The second I said I wanted to do it my Mum said ‘alright, let’s get into it’,” she said.
Program Support Officer Stephanie Arrowsmith was also supportive, and has coordinated the event.
“The whole program is backing Ash on this,” she said.
“We do have a few other participants who are going to colour their hair on the day and we’re going to provide some temp colouring.
“We’re very keen to support Ash.”
For more information on the event, click here.
While you’re with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday morning from The Ararat Advertiser. To make sure you’re up-to-date with all the news from Ararat and districts, sign up here.