A NURSING student is hoping to catch the eye of Ellen DeGeneres during her visit to Melbourne this month.
Alex Cook has made a YouTube film she hopes will attract the attention of the popular US talkshow host and aid fund-raising for the Leukaemia Foundation.
“It’s just because she’ll be in Melbourne and she does a lot of this kind of thing,” the Williamstown resident said.
“I’m pretty aware that I won’t get Ellen DeGeneres — I think she’s already chosen people — but it’s just spreading the word, putting it viral. In our generation, if it’s not on the internet, people don’t care.”
On March 17, Ms Cook will let down her waist-length blonde hair for the World’s Greatest Shave at Williamstown Soccer Club.
And whoever donates the highest amount gets to cut it all off.
“[The film is] more to spread the word, get people to come down,” Ms Cook said. “It’s a bit of joke. My whole thing is that I’ve aimed it at kids. I used to be a nanny as well.”
A former player and future coach for Williamstown Soccer Club, Ms Cook will return to her home ground on St Patrick’s Day for a half-day fund-raising event featuring bands and entertainment.
The 22-year-old said her career choice had spurred her passion to raise funds for leukaemia research. “Everyone has reasons for doing something and I just really do care. I think people are so much more willing to participate when it’s something that affects children, and that’s great.”
Ms Cook’s employer, Sun Theatre Yarraville, is her official sponsor. Her boss has threatened to donate enough money to shave the cinema’s logo on her head.
“I’ve also recruited a whole bunch of people who are going to shave with me on the day,” Ms Cook said. “If you want to come down and promote it, that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m not asking for everyone to give money; I’m just asking them to spread the word.”
The event, including bands and entertainment, starts at noon, with Alex expected to shave her hair about 5pm. The theme is green, for St Patrick’s Day. Details: m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=n8A07bGut60&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dn8A07bGut60
