Businesses trim back for a cause

Sydney businesses dug deep in support of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave last week. The charity’s NSW chapter had a $5 million target.

From team shave offs, to auction events and harbour cruises, local companies generously gave back to the community in support of the cause.

The Buchan Group, an architectural practice in Ultimo has a longstanding relationship with the Leukaemia Foundation, donating their services for over a decade.

The charity is close to the hearts of employees as its late Sydney founder Paul Malone, suffered from the blood disease.

Principal of the Buchan Group Mr Nathan Honnes said the business and employees sponsored a team shave off.

“It’s a fun and sociable way for our employees as individuals to show their support, and donate whatever they can to such a worthy cause,” he said.

They have also donated $10,000 cash to the foundation for a number of projects, as well as their architectural services to build village housing for the families of those undergoing treatment.

Last Thursday Ms Britt Howard an account executive at Salesforce.com, dropped her luscious blonde locks. “I quite like the look, it’s very breezy,” she said.

Ms Howard was inspired to take part having had two family members affected by Leukaemia, and three by breast cancer.

Ms Howard said: “It’s great to actually experience myself having had my family go through this and seeing them looking the way I do now.”

One of the highest ranking individual fundraisers, she has so far raised an extraordinary $38,000 from family, friends and business partners through Facebook, Linkedin and an auction event.

By Lynn Chinnock