Bailey MacDonald was 12 years old when she set out to raise funds for the South West Healthcare Cancer Centre by making and selling scrunchies.
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The now 14-year-old last month submitted a $8261.35 cheque to the hospital after making more than 1000 scrunchies.
"I'm pretty happy," she said.
"Lots of people have made nice comments about the scrunchies.
"When I started my fundraiser I thought I'd probably make about $500 to $1000. I'm so happy that I exceeded this amount so it can make a bigger difference to the people who will benefit."
In October 2017, Bailey's father Garry 'Macca' MacDonald was diagnosed with cancer and further investigation revealed he had Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
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The treatment her father received while at the cancer centre inspired Bailey to try and make a difference.
"The cancer centre did such a wonderful job when my dad was going through his cancer journey so it feels good to be able to say 'thank you' by way of this donation," she said.
"I'm just so grateful for the support from so many people who helped me with my campaign by buying my scrunchies, donating material, selling them in their shops and helping me to promote the cause. The generosity of so many people made this fundraiser even more special to me."
Bailey was supported in her fundraising efforts by Lisa Gorman donating a range of funky materials from her label Gorman, Australian netballer Sarah Wall, who shared her Instagram page Bailey's scrunchies for a cause, and the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat Foundation secretary Andrew Jirik who heard Bailey's story and purchased one scrunchie for $3700.
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South West Healthcare community partnerships manager Suzan Morey was blown away by Bailey's contribution.
"In my time I have never seen a donation anywhere near this size from someone so young," she said.
"I am so impressed with her initiative, determination, commitment, compassion and thoughtfulness."
Bailey's donation will be split with 50 per cent supporting South West Healthcare's survivorship program and the other the supportive care program.
Throughout the past 20 months, Bailey has made a lot of scrunchies and hasn't completely lost her love for her sewing machine.
"I've been doing sewing lessons at school but I can't be bothered sewing too much at home right now," she laughed.
"I still have some scrunchies left over which I'm not sure what to do with but I've kept some for myself as well."
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