When Ocean Grove sisters Matilda and Harriet Stepto set out to raise money for the Peter MacCallum Foundation in honour of their father, Nige, they hoped to reach $1000.
Matilda, 15, and Harriet, 12, had for a while considered donating their hair to the Peter Mac Headwear and Wig Library to support patients during their treatment and raise money for the foundation.
When their dad, a professor of clinical exercise science at Victoria University, died last year at age 48 from a rare type of sarcoma after just 11 months, they took the plunge.
Within a couple of days of starting their quest the sisters had surpassed their goal amount and the total kept rising.
The girls finally had their locks chopped off recently and in the process raised more than $15,500.
“It was so mind-blowing to see how generous people were and to read their beautiful messages,” Matilda said.
“We are amazed how much interest there has been in our story and grateful that it has helped our fundraising.”
About 60 family and friends attended Ocean Grove Park Pavilion to see the girls get their haircuts.
The Peter Mac centre is well aware of Matilda and Harriet’s efforts.
“Yes, they are pretty impressed with what we’ve achieved,” Matilda said.
“We are going up to meet them in person and hand over our hair.”
Harriet said their dad Nige would have been proud of their efforts.
“I think he would be really proud and happy that the money was going to cancer research,” she said.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has donated. It is because of your support that we have raised this much for cancer research.”
