With business at the front and party at the back All Blacks Hockey’s William Barritt is a little apprehensive to have his beloved mullet removed, but he is keen to ditch the mullet for Dash.
All Blacks Hockey team has had strong ties in the community for 50 years, and decades on from their first game they continue to support not only each other but others in need.
All Blacks Hockey president Des Barritt said the club prides themselves on being family orientated, so when life member Peter Leather’s grandson Dash became ill, it was only too obvious they would step up to help.
Dash and his father Shaun’s lives took a massive turn for the worst on New Year’s Eve when the four-year-old was diagnosed with childhood leukaemia and they were flown to Brisbane Children’s Hospital.
The pair will remain in Brisbane for at least the next three months as Dash undergoes treatment to battle the B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
All Blacks Hockey will host a barefoot bowls day to raise the much-needed funds to help Dash and Shaun through their battle.
Des said the Leather family had been blown away by the support given by the Bundaberg community in such a short time.
“Since we came up with the idea of a barefoot bowls day, we have been inundated with people wanting to help,” Des said.
“Every dollar we raise will make it easier on Shaun and Dash.”
With five children of their own, William and his wife Taylia know the importance of family; William grew up with Shaun and they spent hours on the hockey field supporting each other through each game.
Now William will be supporting Shaun off the field as he has agreed to ditch his long-time and beloved mullet if more than $500 is raised during the All Blacks Hockey barefoot bowls day.
“I’ve started bowling now too, and a couple of the oldies are always telling me to get rid of my mullet,” William said.
“I’ve had it a few years – it’s really been a part of me for a while now – my old man had one when I was a kid and I really like it.”
Taylia said she wouldn’t be disappointed to see the mullet go, and she tossed about the idea of raising the bar and if $1000 was raised she thought about asking William to agree the mullet wouldn’t return.
“Will has shaved it off once before but it always comes back,” she laughed.
Along with the barefoot bowls ditch the mullet for Dash day, Taylia and William have been gathering donations of raffle prizes, and they thanked businesses for their support.
“We have been approaching businesses for raffle prizes for the day also, and we have 60 plus,” she said.
“They have been really wonderful and supportive and only too willing to give a donation.”
To help William ditch the mullet for Dash donations can be made via collection tins at both Barritts Butchery and Burnett Bowls Club.
All Blacks Hockey’s barefoot bowls ditch the mullet for Dash day will be held at 6pm on 6 February, at the Burnett Bowls Club.
For more information phone William 0402 516 237 or Des 0427 731 175.
- Earlier report: Bundaberg boy Dash Leather fights cancer
