Ashlee Reid is all smiles as Shelly Radlof shaves her head as part of her Conquer the Corrugations and Cancer Council fundraiser at the Laura Rodeo and Campdraft on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
A former Weipa resident has put her money – and luscious locks – where her mouth is after shaving her head to raise money and awareness for mental health.
While the action unfolded in the arena at the 2024 Laura Rodeo and Campdraft on 30 June, a small crowed gathered in the shadow of one of the grandstands to watch the clippers move over Ashlee Reid’s dark hair.
Having struggled with mental health for several years, Ms Reid chose Conquer the Corrugations, an annual walk in support of mental health awareness, as one of her charities.
“Conquer the Corrugations is a walk that my husband and I started attending with our kids when I got sick,” she shared.
“It started with postnatal psychosis which turned into bipolar [disorder], so a lot of hospitalisations, shock therapy and medications.
“It’s really been an outlet for us, especially my husband, who was often my carer, and it’s been a place for him to get some awareness around it, too.”
Ms Reid also chose to shave and fundraise for the Cancer Council in honour of a close friend who had been diagnosed.
“A very good friend was diagnosed with cancer six months ago,” she said.
“She guided me through my mental health and she got me through it, basically.
“She’s undertaking her own battle now, and I didn’t feel like there was much I could do, but I thought maybe I could combine the two [charities] and raise some awareness.”
A well-known face on Cape York, Ms Reid said the shave was both in solidarity with her friend and a lesson on appearances for her children.
“[My friend] has lost all of her hair, unfortunately, but at the end of the day, it’s just hair, and I want her to know that with or without it, she’s still amazing,” she explained.
“It’s also a bit of a teaching thing for me with my kids, that it doesn’t matter what you look like.”
Ms Reid is still inching closer to her goal of $10,000 to split between the two charities with her online fundraising page as well as donation tins at the rodeo.
“To be honest, when I first started and made this fundraiser, my goal was $1,000 for each charity and it was more about raising awareness, but it’s gotten a lot bigger than I expected,” she said.
“No one ever told me that [mental health issues] could happen to me, so I want people to know it can happen and there is support out there.
“I have always shared my story; it’s a part of my healing journey, and I hope I can help people talk about mental health as much as we talk about physical health.”
Ashlee’s daughter Mckenna gets the ball rolling with the scissors in front of a vocal crowd of supporters. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
