When year 7 Moss Vale High School student Sonny Faau told his friends about his brother's cancer diagnosis, little did he expect such a show of support.
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Diagnosed with leukemia, Rocco, aged 4, and his mum Caterina will spend the Christmas period and the next six months in hospital.
Hearing of his friend's news, Evan Woods-Jack organised support by raising money with a crazy hair day for Sonny and his family.
"Sonny was having a chat about giving support," Evan said.
"This is just a bigger level of support. They won't have the best Christmas this year and this will help them."
For Sonny, having his friends support him and his family has been a relief.
"It's been hard," he said about his brother's cancer diagnosis. "But it feels good to have support."
Sonny's father Faau was blown away by the support shown for his son.
"It's good, I'm speechles," he said.
And while some students went to school with some interesting hair styles and colours, it was a core group of students that really showed their support with getting their own head shaved.
Students Billy Apostolatos, Fred Ash, Riley Sheather, Kyannon Stafford, Reuben Streetfield and Emagia Scott all put their hand up to shave their head in the name of charity. First on the stage to get their head shaved was Sonny, followed by good mate Evan and then a steady stream of friends.
With her mothers support, Emagia Scott braved the clipper and stepped up to shave her head.
"I've had family with cancer and I understand how it feels," she said.
"So I wanted to show my support."
Also showing support for Sonny and his family was student Abbey Melrose who donated $100 of her own money to the family.
"I lost a cousin to leukemia," she said.
"Fundraising for cancer support means a lot to me."
In total Moss Vale High School has raised more than $1000 for Sonny, his brother Rocco and his family.
Assistant Principal Matthew Carlyon was proud of the students effort to support and raise money for one of their own.
"That's what we are good at here," he said.
Wielding the clippers was Alysha Turner, a friend of Caterina's who wanted to help in anyway possible.
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
