Madden raises over $3000 for Leukemia research

IN AN ACT of pure open hearted generosity Madden Goessons from Leongatha has shaved off his mullet on his tenth birthday and raised a huge $3167 for leukemia research.

Madden decided to seek sponsorship for the cause by growing his hair and then bravely having it shaved off.

He was both nervous and excited just before the big shave because he has had his mullet since he was four or five years old.

But he was surrounded by all of his friends who were offering words of encouragement, some telling him how nice it was to feel the wind on their head after they’d had haircuts.

Looking relaxed as his long brown curls fell to the ground, brave Madden was in good hands with his uncle Brandon Lillis, a professional barber shaping him up a brand new stylish ‘do.

“I don’t remember the last time he didn’t have his mullet. He decided that he was finally ready to cut it off,” said Nikita Lillis, Madden's Mum.

Madden told Nikita that he wanted to cut his hair for a reason.

They have had a few people in their lives with leukemia and when Nikita suggested the World’s Greatest Shave, he jumped at it.

Just last year Madden participated in the Black Dog cause to raise funds for a mentally healthier world and grew his mullet as long as he could, this year he decided to do the opposite.

“Even for him to cut it off, I was proud of him to make that call, but to also want to make a difference with it. He gets nothing out of this - it’s just to help other people for his tenth birthday. So yes very, very proud,” Nikita said. 

Many of Maddens family and friends held small fundraising events to help sponsor and support him in his journey to give bigheartedly to a great cause.

“Everyone's been really, really generous. It's been really nice,” said Nikita.

Madden, with a big smile on his face said his new haircut felt, “really good.”