My recent support for Dusty Cook in his marathon run to raise funds for Leukaemia research reawoke my memories from my early Apprentice days and of the time I worked in Camperdown Children's Hospital. I also became aware of "The Challenge" - World's Greatest Shave For A Cure. Which aimed to raise $5million for Leukaemia research.

I kept recalling my time as a 1st Year Apprentice Plumber of 15 years old and working at the old Children's Hospital in Camperdown, Sydney in the section called Wade House, a special ward for children with cancer. I can recall quite clearly setting up the tripod and vice on the cold winter mornings so we could begin our days work and opposite me through the large window type door a pretty young girl of 6 or 7 years old with long blonde hair smiling at me with a warm glow. We said hello to each other every morning for weeks.

I was moved to another job for a week and when I returned she wasn't there so I asked my Foreman Plumber, Don, where was the smiling young girl with the long blonde hair. Don turned to me and said that the little girl with the blonde hair and the beautiful big smile had died on Friday. He also told me that the lovely hair was a wig.

When I heard of this appeal I immediately signed up to join the "Shave" and I am proud that my friends have supported me so generously.
I may have lost my hair but if in doing so I have helped to find a cure for this terrible cancer then I am a happy man.

Thanks for all the generous donations. There are still some pledges to come in.
You can make your donations at https://bne248d.server-secure.com/vs1392_secure/shave-donate.asp or

Make your cheque payable to the "Leukaemia Foundation" & mail it to:
The Leukaemia Foundation
c/- MasterPlumbers.Com
47 Wareemba Street
Five Dock, NSW, 2046
Sydney, Australia

Please help support this great appeal.