At the “Walk-in Shavees” queue on Sunday, 21 Bangladeshi workers offered to have their heads shaved in support of the cause. The workers received much encouragement from the audience and were commended for their efforts.
When asked for their reasons for joining the event, one worker replied simply, “To support the Children’s Cancer Foundation!”
Eric Tay, the workers’ supervisor, explained that many of these workers have been in Singapore for as long as 16 years and wanted to show their appreciation by giving back to the Singaporean society.
“When I asked who wanted to shave their head, they all volunteered,” he said. “They really wanted to do this.”
The Singaporean owner of an engineering and construction firm further stated that he was proud to have them working for him.
“This kind of feeling (of being able to give back) cannot be found anywhere,” Tay explained.
Yvonne Gabrielle, 23, who also participated in the charity event, had a very different reason for turning up on Saturday.
“At first, it was so that I could tell my future kids that I was bald at least once in my lifetime,” she says.
“But now, it is a renouncing of vanity, reminder of the transient and an encouragement to cancer patients and survivors, especially my mom.”
Noticeably, many of those who volunteered were students. A group of enthusiastic 17-year-old boys were among the crowd of walk-in shavees. In all, the event brought people from all walks of life, who have different reasons, to help support one cause.
According to the Hair for Hope website, the top individual donation comes from Mr Jimmy Kwang who has contributed almost S$62,000. IBM Singapore Private Limited, the top donating corporation, has given almost S$110,000.
Join the Hair for Hope Facebook page here.
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