FIVE guys who grew up in Horsham’s Karingal Crescent will reunite on Saturday and shave their heads as they raise funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia.
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Joel, Tom and Jarrod Berry along with Will Robertson and Ben Lakin grew up together in Horsham.
Growing up in the same street meant plenty of sporting activities in the street and spending time at each other’s houses.
Five years ago the Berrys’ mother Jedda Berry passed away from cancer. Jarrod was 15 at the time.
Jarrod, who plays AFL for the Brisbane Lions, said his mother had a lasting impact on the wider community.
“There were people coming from all over to be at her funeral and celebrate her life,” he said.
“She had a big impact on a lot of people. She had cancer for about eight years. She instilled a lot of values in us three boys and I guess the other boys as well hanging around our house.
“She said her legacy would live on through us three boys and that impact she had on the wider community, that’s what she is remembered for.”
Around the time of Jedda’s passing, Will started to grow dreadlocks. After five years, he thought it would be a good time to shave his head and raise some money.
“I always wanted to raise some money for breast cancer and we are at just under $35,000 raised at the moment,” he said.
“I am pretty keen to get them off but now it’s getting closer I’m getting a bit nervous.”
Ben Lakin, who dyed his hair for Mad Monday after Horsham’s senior flag, said Jedda Berry was like another mother to the children growing up in the street.
“I reckon we had almost 20 kids in the street and there was always something to do,” he said.
“Us five got along really well and we have been close since then. Jarrod is in Brisbane now, a few of us are in Ballarat and Robbo was up in Port Macquarie, but we have that bond that can’t be broken.
“Jedda was like a second mum and as a substitute teacher she was home during summer holidays. She always got along really well with us.”
Initially, the group set a target of raising $5,000, but realised quite quickly they were going to reach that. Jarrod said the support from the community had been outstanding.
“After a couple of social media posts we were sitting well the target and now we are at about $33,000, without the fundraisers still to come on the day,” he said.
“It’s a real credit to the community who has put themselves around us five boys all our lives.”
Jarrod has even been able to lure his Brisbane coach Chris Fagan to Horsham on Saturday, who will also have his head shaved. Some Brisbane Lions teammates are also expected to make an appearance.
“Fagan asked me for the details when he saw the donations and a day later he said he was keen to be involved,” Jarrod said.
“I talked to the other boys and they were all very keen. It’s awesome for the AFL community to see that relationship between players and coaches is much more than just on the field.”
Jarrod said the boys wanted to try and fill the Horsham basketball stadium with as many people come Saturday.
“It will be kicking off at 1pm so people can come down from 12.30pm,” he said.
“We want to get as many people there as possible and celebrate mum’s life and raise a bit of money.”
