Community
9 August, 2024
Bald and proud
IT will be a chilly few months ahead for 15 Warrnambool College students and teachers who will brave the cold after shaving their heads for charity earlier this week.
Eighteen teachers and students chose to shave, cut or colour their hair during a special college assembly on Monday to raise money and awareness for the Leukaemia Foundation.
The event was the brainchild of the year 12 College captains, Zoe Borthwick, Nyasha Iervasi, Chelsea Redmond, Hayden McGovern and Mia Mills, as part of their ‘passion’ project.
Each year the school captains chose a project that will leave a legacy in their final year of school.
Shave participants included teacher Tom White (who parted with both hair and beard), teacher Emma Hatton (who bravely had her head shaved), year 11 student Taj Lowe (head shaved) and year 12 student Franchesca Urritia (who had her hair cut).
“I lost my mum to cancer about seven years ago so this fundraising event holds extra special meaning,” Mr White said.
Fellow teacher Emma Hatton was also a big supporter of the event and didn’t hesitate to take part in the shave.
“I did have quite long hair before today but it doesn’t bother me that it’s gone,” she said.
“Raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation is so important because the foundation also supports families with overnight accommodation which is vital for regional families.”
Phil Dennis was another staff member who didn’t hesitate to take part.
“I went through cancer treatment about 10 years ago but thankfully I have a clean bill of health today so I was more than happy to join in,” he said.
The college captains said they were overwhelmed with the support they’d received from the school and wider community, including local businesses.
“We can’t believe the number of teachers and students who put their hands up to participate,” they said.
The 18 participants included seven teachers and 11 students who cut, shaved or coloured their hair on Monday afternoon.
The captains set an original fundraising target of $1000 but easily surpassed this, raising an incredible $3,204.
“We knew as soon as we started our captain-ships that we wanted to make an impact in our community and leave knowing that we had helped our school make a difference in the lives of others, as well as promote the ideas and behaviours of compassion,” Zoe Borthwick said.
“After many brainstorms, meetings and ideas, we chose to organise a Leukaemia Foundation World’s Greatest Shave,” Nyasha Iervasi added.
“We planned this event for several months and were so excited to not only have so many staff and students participating, but to celebrate the achievement of raising money for the charity.
“We could not have done this without the support of many great local businesses.”
The day’s celebrations also include a year level colour-themed dress up for students and staff, a barbecue and the chance for the school community to colour their hair for a gold coin donation.
Anyone wishing to support the school in its quest to raise as much money as possible through the World’s Greatest Shave simply go to worldsgreatestshave.com/fundraisers/WarrnamboolCollege.