Tickled pink at generosity

By Kath Gannaway
MILLGROVE sisters, Tayla and Brittany Thorneycroft, are the talk of the town after raising more than $1000 as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave for a Cure.
The idea of raising funds for Leukaemia research hit a chord with Tayla, nine, and Brittany, six, after their Uncle Roddy, died of acute myeloid leukaemia, in February.
Their mother, Cheryl, said the family was devastated when, aged 39, Rodney Thorneycroft died less than a month after being diagnosed.
“I felt pretty sad about Uncle Roddy,” Tayla said. “When we saw the ad on TV for the World’s Greatest Shave we thought it was a good idea.”
“We really wanted to do it … and we loved it,” Brittany added with a big smile reflecting a well-deserved sense of achievement.
Mrs Thorneycroft said she and her husband, Brian, were very proud of the girls who went out every night after school to get sponsorship.
She said everyone, including the Millgrove school community and local businesses, had been tremendously supportive.
“They aimed to raise $250 but once they got to $650 they asked if they could try to get a thousand dollars, and they ended up raising even more,” she said.
In addition to $838.10 raised through sponsorship, $194.60 was raised through a donation tin at Harry’s Fresh Meats at Yarra Junction, taking the total to $1032.70.
Tayla and Brittany were among thousands of men, women and children around Australia who shaved or coloured their hair on “shave day”, Saturday, 6 May.
Catherine Wetherall, of Hair Impressions in Yarra Junction, provided her services free of charge to colour their hair bright pink.
“We hope the money will help other people who are diagnosed with Leukaemia,” Tayla said adding a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped them achieve their goal.