Big chop for cancer cause

FIVE of Ballarat Grammar’s year 12s are preparing to lop off their locks to benefit others in the community.

As a fundraiser for the Cancer Council, students Mia, Brigit, Poppy, Bonnie, and Bella are going to cut their long hair on Wednesday 4 October.

With an aim to raise $5000 by the start of term four, the girls have already collected about 60 per cent of their goal total, and will be donating their hair to Sustainable Salons to be repurposed as wigs for people in need.

“Cancer is such a prevalent thing in everyone’s life, either firsthand, or through friends or family,” Mia said. “It’s such a good cause that everyone has links to.

“We wish to bring attention to such a worldwide issue and help support the research to a cancer-free future.”

Throughout her life, Bella said she has always had long hair, but she’s not attached to keeping it that way.

“I don’t really want to have hair this long forever,” she said. “It takes a lot to look after it.

“The best way for me to get a haircut is in a way that will help someone else.”

The girls are planning to stage the big chop in the quadrangle next to their senior wing at lunchtime, and their friends are set to handle the scissors.

“Whoever wants to come and watch will be able to,” Bonnie said.

For Brigit, getting her hair cut is a simple thing to do to make a huge difference to another person’s life.

“It’s only hair to me, and I’m lucky it will grow back,” she said. “It just keeps growing, so it’s such an easy way to do so much.”

The girls have set up a GoFundMe campaign at bit.ly/3YHJ44r.