THE last few months have been harrowing for the Wilson family, whose one-year-old daughter Maeve was diagnosed with leukaemia at Easter, but the Highlands spirit is keeping them optmistic.

While Maeve has been receiving chemotherapy at Randwick Hospital, with her family keeping a close bedside vigil, the Highlands community - led by Mitttagong man Michael Stokes - has been busy organising a fundraiser to help them through their tough time.

A dozen locals, including Mr Stokes, Nikki Hessenberger, Ian Salmond, Scott Pickup, Tom Simmons, Cr Nick Campbell Jones, Tony Springett, News editor Daniel de Nardi and Kevin Brewin, have offered to shave their heads for the Shave 4 Maeve fundraiser taking place at Bowral’s Corbett Plaza on Saturday, August 9.

Money raised will be split between helping the Wilsons, who have had minimal time to run their Pablo & Rusty’s cafe outside the BDCU offices in Bong Bong Street, and furnishing the new children’s ward at Bowral Hospital.

James Wilson hasn’t been in the Highlands for weeks, as he takes up his post next to Maeve at Ronald McDonald House in Sydney, but he has heard through the grapevine all about the Shave 4 Maeve event.

“I feel a bit awestruck, actually. I’m quite blown away by how much the Highlands community, businesses and families have all offered to help,” he said.

“It has certainly instilled a bit more optimism in me as it’s easy to be sceptical in these times, with everyone caught up in their own situations.”

The last two weeks have been particuarly tough on the Wilsons after Maeve picked up a virus following her last round of chemotherapy.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Wednesday, July 23