Losing hair for non-profit care

A LOCAL woman is readying to lose her golden locks in support of four charities.

After years of keeping her blonde hair, currently shorter and shaved at one side, Bannockburn resident Annie Wild is aiming to say goodbye to her haircut to raise funds for her chosen non-profits.

With cash to be divvied up between Canteen, Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Pets of the Homeless, Ms Wild said her choice of recipients has been driven by her current circumstances.

“I’m studying a Diploma of Community Services this year, and I’ve taken a year off teaching Japanese, which I’ve done for 20 years, for it,” she said.

“I’ve been learning about the vulnerable people in our community and those that need support. That was kind of the motivator behind who I’m fundraising for.

“One of my casual jobs I’ve also got this year is working with people experiencing homelessness or disabilities running a street soccer program with The Big Issue.

“I’m feeling a really positive mindset lately so I thought now’s the time to do something a bit crazy like this.”

Ms Wild’s fundraising goals will dictate how far she goes with her hair, adding pink dye to it at $1000 donated, shaving it at $1500 with and adding dye to her cropped look at $2000 or more.

She said although it’ll be “scary” for her to lose her hair, she said it will be worth the benefit it can bring to people.

“Social justice and equity has always been something really important, especially in current hard financial times,” she said.

“I like making people have value in themselves, and dogs are just an obsession I’ve had since I was a kid so I’ll do anything to help their wellbeing as well.

“My hair’s pretty important to me. I know there’s stereotypes for women with short hair but I think I’ve got the confidence to deal with that.”

With a hairdresser’s appointment booked in for later this year, Ms Wild said the decision on what to do with her hair will be made on Friday, 23 June.

Donations can be made at Ms Wild’s Facebook page or by emailing her at [email protected].