Workmates get the chop for charity

Brothers Leagues Club chef Michelle Headridge (left) and Barista Kimmy Muscat (right) will be shaving and dying their hair in honour of their family members. Photo: Claudia Baxter MA1010BE

WORKMATES Michelle Headridge and Kimmy Muscat have both experienced the tidal wave of emotion that comes with seeing a young family member suffer from cancer.

For Ms Muscat, who lost her older brother to leukaemia and Ms Headridge, whose brother in law is still fighting lymphoma cancer, that experience has also opened their eyes to the work of charities like the Leukaemia Foundation.

The Ipswich pair, who both work at Brothers Leagues Club, will take part in this year’s Shave For A Cure in an effort to raise much needed funds for the organisation that helps cancer sufferers and their families through the darkest of times.

Ms Headridge, 37, will have her hair cut short and coloured at the Walloon Saloon this Saturday.

Her brother-in-law Scott, who turned 32 this year, was diagnosed late last year and is undergoing chemotherapy.

“The cancer is pretty much all through his body,” the Brothers chef said.

“It was a big shock and not knowing what the future holds for him is pretty upsetting – playing the waiting game is hard for his family.”

Ms Headridge said seeing Scott, a father of two, lose his hair during chemotherapy was particularly distressing to her.

“That was hard to take – it’s the reality of cancer – I cried for hours thinking about it,” she said.

Ms Muscat, 34, lost her brother, also named Scott, to leukaemia in 1982. He was only 12 years old at the time.

The death of her brother is still very upsetting to Ms Muscat and has motivated her to help the cause this weekend.

“That’s a big reason why I’m doing it,” she said.

“He was diagnosed when he was four and was about 10 when he went into remission. But it came back.

“The last time I saw him was through the window of the hospital ward.”

Ms Muscat will opt for the full shaved head at the Walloon Saloon on Saturday.

The shave will begin about 2pm.