Kids can learn a lot at school, and it’s not all about reading, writing and arithmetic.
Ben Savage is a typical 14 year-old student who attends Cronulla High School.
Recently he was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma in his pelvis and hip, and is in hospital going through chemotherapy.
His many school mates who will also travel on Ben's cancer journey, set about to raise enough money to help his family with medical expenses and to purchase a small "tinny" boat to enjoy when he is well enough to use it.
Any leftover money will be given to a Children's Cancer Charity that the family will choose to support.
Ben’s year 9 school friends shaved their heads at school assembly recently in support of Ben, who has lost his hair.
“We did this to help Ben through this tough time, to show our support and make him feel more comfortable, ” said Byron Wilkinson, one of the newly-shaved students.
Tommy Baxter, another brave shaver said, “It’s a good idea to help raise money. It’s something simple we can do as mates. Also it might make us look sexy.’’
To raise more money, Ben’s peers and school organised a gold coin mufti day and a cake stall, and hair colouring by the year 9 girls.
Thanks also goes to the Shire hairdressers who donated their time to shave the hair of 18 students.
Year 9 year advisor Jamie Cherry set a fundraising challenge for his students, and if they reached the target, agreed to also shave his hair on the day.
Needless to say, the challenge was tackled and Mr Cherry joined the shave on the day to support Ben and his students.
Ben’s younger brother Luke, and Annie Flack, year 4 students from Cronulla South Primary School, and Cadel Wilkinson from St Aloysius, joined in the shave.
Each student who shaved kept their heads warm by wearing beanies with the logo #4 Ben.
The beanies were donated by Cronulla supplier, STC Surf Trading Company.
This also prompted principal Tony Ibrahim to change the schools dress code for the winter and allow #4 Ben beanies to be worn by students.
The school showed by its overwhelming support that it’s more than a place just for kids to go because they have to, it is where children learn about life in all its nuances.
Ben was able to take a break from treatment to watch the event and even helped shave Mr Cherry’s head.
And his family were touched by the community effort involved.
“It’s unexpected and a good thing for friends to do – its overwhelming,” Ben's mother Jane said.
It would mean a lot to Ben's mates to be able to support and be of assistance to Ben and his family, and his mates would be grateful for any donation.
