Local girl Ashlea Codner, daughter of Paul and Kathryn Codner, who now live in Orange has attempted the unthinkable for girls who have worked so hard to grow their hair long. She has shaved all of hers off for cancer. On May 31st, Ashlea bravely shaved her head in aid of the World’s Greatest Shave and raised over $7000 for her chosen foundation, The Leukaemia Foundation.
The Leukaemia Foundation is Australia’s peak body for blood cancer, funding research and providing free services to support people with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders, and their families.
“I have wanted to do this for so long, I guess it’s one of those exiting and empowering yet daunting bucket list things that we never seem to find the right time for”, Ashlea said.
Ashlea also went onto say that she registered without even thinking about it, and promised everyone that she would shave her head when the fundraising reached $5000. It only took her 12 days!
The event was held at Orange City Rugby Club on Ladies Day. A few of Ashlea’s friends even travelled to attend. There were about 200 people watching her, including her parents in the crowd and her brother on FaceTime from overseas.
It was a very heart-warming yet overwhelming experience for many, as a few shed some tears watching Ashlea lose her blonde locks so selflessly.
“The hairdresser is a very sweet friend of mine and she kept asking me if I was okay! She was actually far more nervous than I was. I surprised myself by grinning ear to ear most the time. The fundraising is currently just under $8000 and slowly rising.
Ashlea said “As most people, I have had family and friends effected by cancer of some form, including leukaemia. I just want to help. It’s become a really sentimental journey for me, the support I’ve had is overwhelming! It’s exciting, if this is all I have to do, I’d do to again in a heartbeat! Maybe in summer next time.”
You can still make a donation in support of Ashlea’s brave shave by heading to http://www.worldsgreatestshave.com.au/ and click on ‘sponsor’, and type in Ashlea’s name.
By Jessica Jenkins
Ashlea before her brave shave
Ashlea after with her parents. Paul and Kathryn Codner