Cody McDermott during fundraiser credit Richard Polden Photography
Camera IconCody McDermott during fundraiser credit Richard Polden Photography Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Fremantle: Shaving the beard to raise money for charity

Leah RobertsFremantle Gazette

AFTER growing his beard for two-and-a-half years, Cody McDermott shaved it off last week to raise money for charity.

Mr McDermott was selected as a 2018 Leeuwin Woodside Cadet and said he began this fundraiser to show his appreciation.

“Since December I’ve been lucky enough to be volunteer crew on the Leeuwin, a youth development Sail Training Ship which sails out of Fremantle frequently on week-long voyages,” he said.

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“I settled on splitting the fundraising between the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation and the Leukaemia Foundation.”

Mr McDermott said he was nervous for the shave as it was his first time having a beard.

“The last time I shaved was April of 2016, so I’ve been growing my beard for very nearly two-and-a-half years,” he said.

“My beard has really grown on me and has become a big part of my personality.

“So much has changed in my life since before I started growing a beard, so it feels surreal to be almost going back in time to a younger version me, but with much more experience, if that makes sense.”

Cody McDermott during fundraiser credit Richard Polden Photography
Camera IconCody McDermott during fundraiser credit Richard Polden Photography Credit: Supplied/Supplied

The Palmyra resident said he hopes to raise $5000 and split it equally between the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation and the Leukaemia Foundation.

Cody McDermott on the Leeuwin.
Camera IconCody McDermott on the Leeuwin. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“While I’ve been lucky enough to not have had a family member or friend who has suffered from leukaemia, several of my friends’ families and loved ones have been exposed to the dire effects and so I wanted to honour their struggles and show my support in the best way that I could,” he said.

“The generosity of my friends, families and supporters has been absolutely astonishing thus far and I’m blown away by the response that I’ve had.”