Emma Woolnough and Blake Wood, both 16 years old, have decided to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave to raise money for Leukemia, inspired by the journey of their friend Paul Fishenden.

Their fundraising efforts for far have seen them quadruple their original goal of $1000, and it’s all going to a good cause.

“Paul is like a father to me. After he was diagnosed, it was just bad news from there on, and I thought, I need to do something to fix it,” Emma said.

“My dad was very good friends with Paul, I grew up knowing him very closely, so it made sense to do this with Emma,” Blake said.

Mr Fishenden has struggled with Multiple Myeloma for the past 12 years.

“He is a selfless man who has taken cancer head on and fought hard,” Emma said.

“He is not a complainer and puts everyone else’s needs before his own.”

Mr Fishenden’s fight has taken another nosedive, as he has also recently been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

The treatments available have all been unsuccessful, and there is now no further treatment left for him.

But he is proud of Emma and Blake and their achievements, and knows first hand the money raised will go to help support patients and carers with the expenses involved with treatment.

“They are marvelous kids, I am so terribly proud of them,” Mr Fishenden said.

“I feel proud and humbled that I have inspired them in such a way. They are fantastic kids anyway, being family friends and supporters, but this takes it all above and beyond.”

Mr Fishenden knows how expensive accommodation and all the associated costs of dealing with cancer can be, and said the Leukemia Foundation helped him and his wife out immensley.

“I went to Sydney a few times and it’s very very expensive. The foundation has units nearby, so it’s really good in that is saves so much money, you can’t afford to stay in a motel room every night for months at a time,” Mr Fishenden said.

The Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave began back in 1998, and help give families facing blood cancer the emotional and practical support they need, as well as funding research to help more people survive blood cancers like lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma.

“It’s the carers that really suffer, obviously the patients have to deal with the cancer, but the carers have to watch them go through it all and stand by – spouses, family and friends. That’s where the foundation really makes a difference, because it helps them out.”

The generosity of the Griffith community has once again shown through, and Mr Fishenden thanks them as well as all of the care and support lent to them throughout the years by Griffith’s CanAssist.

The pair will take part in the Shave on February 24 at Griffith Central Plaza at 12pm.

Emma’s hair will be used to make wigs for those with cancer, and she says she isn't nervous or scared, despite the fact hair is a defining part of many people’s identities.

“I’ve never been the type of girl to care about my hair, I think boys really care more about their hair than I do,” Emma said.

“It will grow back, and cancer patients need it more than I do.”

Blake, who feels more strongly about his hair, said it was a worthwhile cause and after all, it will grow back fast.

“I’ll miss my hair. I look after it and take pride in it, but it doesn’t matter that much, it will grow back. It’s going to a good cause so it makes it all worth it.”

They have started fundraising through their Facebook pages, and say the support has been amazing, already smashing their original goal of $1000.

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“We want to raise as much money for the Leukemia Foundation so that no family has to go through what the Fishenden family has to endure,” Emma said.

The pair have already raised over $4000 dollars, and with a month left before the big day, hope to raise much more.

You can support Emma and Blake by clicking here, or you can contact Emma on 0437054955 for information about donating.

“Blake and I wish to thank everyone and look forward to your support.”