By Alana Mitchelson
LAST Tuesday at 3.45pm, an eight-year-old girl from Selby lost her life.
The Emerald community has since banded together during this difficult time to support the Lay family through this tragedy.
Hairdresser Kacey Peeters’ daughter was in the girl’s class at Emerald Primary School and has decided to raise funds in the best way she knows how – cutting hair.
Kacey said that within 24 hours, she had set up a private Facebook page with 200 members offering to help however they could.
“The girl was travelling home with her mum, brother and sister on Belgrave-Gembrook Road. Her brother is still in critical condition and has had brain surgery,” Kacey said.
“The family only had one car and all surviving family members have been recovering in three different hospitals, while the father was also in hospital getting treatment for a separate reason.
“I can’t imagine what the family is going through and for the poor driver of the other car. We are heart-broken for everyone involved.“
Kacey and her hair-dressing staff, along with four other salons and 14 individual volunteer hairdressers, will be performing as many haircuts as possible between 3pm and 8pm today at the Emerald Twilight Market.
All money raised will be donated to the affected families.
Local businesses have also donated a total $2500 in prizes for a raffle to be drawn this evening.
“We will keep cutting hair until it’s dark,” Kacey said.
“I am really overwhelmed with the community response. I am also overwhelmed by the participation of other businesses.
“This has brought us all together.“
For more information, visit the public Facebook event page ‘Cuts for a Cause, Raising money for the Lay family’.
