Group haircut a show of support

SIX local women are getting their scissors out and losing their hair.

The effort is a fundraiser for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, and one parent and five staff members from Little Wonders Early Learning Ballarat will be saying goodbye to their locks as part of the drive.

Little Wonders’ centre coordinator Trina Crowe will be shaving her head and said the idea came about as a show of solidarity for parent Jade Woodall.

“In our time here, we’ve had quite a few families or relations that have either been diagnosed or going through treatment for cancer,” she said.

“One of our mums, Jade, approached us about a month ago saying she’s undergoing treatment and deciding to shave it all off and would we like to join her in support?

“A bunch of us jumped on board, and since there wasn’t one type of cancer that has affected us, we went with FECRI because they’re local and tapping into the overall research side of things.”

Ms Crowe and Ms Woodall will shave their heads alongside staff members Nikki Davis and Isla Matthews, while Teagan Ballinger and Lindsay Mulholland will be chopping off their ponytails.

All of their hair will be donated to make wigs and since starting, the fundraiser has exceeded its $3000 target.

Although she said losing her hair is “nerve-wracking,” Ms Crowe said the initiative has sparked community-wide support.

“The thought of being bald in a Ballarat winter is not appealing but above all there’s a sense of pride at how our little community has pulled together in such a short amount of time,” she said.

“To have raised this much money is incredible and to see all the other little things set up like the bake sale and the raffle and people bringing in anything and everything has been pretty amazing.

“We do have a pretty wonderful little community, and after all, it’s just hair. It’ll grow back.”

Those still wishing to donate can visit bit.ly/3t47SVt.