Sam is set to brave the shave for charity
A kind-hearted Perth boy is ready to let his dad lop off his locks to raise money for cancer care.
Sam McAllister is going to take part in ‘Brave the Shave’ on July 1 for Macmillan Cancer Care.
He cannot get a barber to give him a close shave due to current coronavirus restrictions, so his dad has agreed to do the honours.
Sam is hoping to raise money for Macmillan as the charity has helped support his aunt Fi Munro and his gran.
Sam turned 11 on Thursday and spent his birthday apart from friends but in the company of his big family.
He has been staying home with mum Pamela, dad Alan and three siblings Jack, Lily and Ben, plus a dog and two cats.
“Sam is a really laid back, thoughtful person and he’s done this head shave stunt for charity once already, when he was just six,” explained Pamela, his mum.
“That was a really traumatic time for him, for all of us, as within eight weeks we heard his auntie - Fi Munro - had been diagnosed with cancer at just 30 and then his gran also found she had cancer.
“I was pregnant with Ben at the time, the whole family was so upset.
“As second oldest, he was so shocked at the way cancer had come into his awareness. He wanted to do something to help.
“That wish to help led to him getting his head shaved for Macmillan four years ago. He did really well and raised £125.
“Although the money went to help lots of people through the cancer care charity, in his mind, he was helping Auntie Fi and his granny.
“Fi [who has terminal ovarian cancer and is a well known local campaigner] has been a special person for all our four children, taking them out for one-to one days instead of sending birthday presents.
“Last birthday she and her husband Ewan took Sam off to see author David Walliams and to have an Indian meal. Sam loves his food, he’s quite the food critic, so he tried everybody’s dishes, he had an absolute ball.
“Doing Brave the Shave when he was six was a great experience, he wanted to do it again, but we didn’t get round to organising it until now.
“This time he’s been even more keen to tell everyone he will be doing Brave the Shave, so with more coverage of his head shave challenge, he’s already raised £1200 - which we think is phenomenal.”
Sam’s school Oakbank Primary heard about his head shave and made a point of telling everyone in its virtual morning assembly for pupils doing school at home.
Pamela explained there’s a new twist to Brave the Shave due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.
She said: “The Kilted Barber shaved Sam’s head the last time, but that’s not possible this year, so his dad has decided he will dig out his clippers and make it a DIY job.
“He’s an amazing little guy, we are all really proud of Sam’s giving attitude, it’s no surprise he was up for doing this.
“All our four children like to help others, they are great kids.”
To donate, visit https://bravetheshave. macmillan.org.uk/shavers/sam-mcallister