Nine senior students at The Armidale School submitted to having their heads shaved last Friday as part of a tradition at the historic Northern Tablelands private school.
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For the last decade, the prefects of the school have had their heads shaved to raise money for a good cause following the death of former student Arjun Daniel from cancer in 2007.
This year prefects chose the Leukaemia Foundation in support of Year 3 student Lucy Holland who was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 and has been receiving treatment in a Brisbane Hospital.
The bravery of eight-year-old Lucy and the impact on her family, including her father Michael who is the TAS Director of Boarding and the 16s rugby coach, has been inspirational for the students, many of whom met Lucy when Michael took his wife and Lucy on the TAS 16s New Zealand Rugby tour last year.
Mr Holland said he was very impressed with the student's efforts and the level of support Lucy had received from them.
“I think it was personal for these guys because my family came on tour with us to New Zealand and they took her under their wing like a little sister,” he said.
“The diagnosis rattled them, and they sent cards, and one student even came to Brisbane to visit her.”
The day was more significant than anyone could have expected when Mr Holland received some wonderful news.
“We have just found out that Lucy is in remission,” he announced in the gymnasium while the head shave took place.
Students have raised nearly $11,000 so far. The money will go towards providing medical and emotional support for families dealing with Leukaemia and research into the disease