It was definitely a case of “hair today, gone tomorrow” as people across the Tweed – of all ages and professions, shed their locks in the name of charity.
Tweed Shire Council, Tweed City and Seagulls led the way last week, holding “Shave For a Cure” days while Kingscliff High School (pictures next week) got right into the spirit of things cutting and colouring to help the Leukaemia Foundation. Tonight a brave quartet of Bunnings Tweed Heads Staff will go under the razor to raise even more money for the worthy cause.
At Tweed City, Chinderah on Thursday teen Breeze Tough was the centre of attention as the fourteen year old (who had coloured her hair for the occasion) had her long-locks shaved. Friends, family, neighbours and Tweed City and it’s traders dug deep to help the youngster raise more than $3,000 on her own with the Centre raising even more money with cuts, colours and face-painting on the night.
Over at Seagulls that night, staff, friends and family got together and raised more than $3,000 for the cause.
“We held it in the Lakeview Lounge,” Seagulls spokesperson Sandy Ackerman said.
“It was a fantastic crowd, at least 20 people shaving or coloring.
“Susan Bailey our Customer Loyalty Manager put it all together, she was inspired for personal reasons.”
Two Council employees had their heads shaved in front of their colleagues in Murwillumbah on Thursday morning.
They may have been raising funds for the same non-profit organisation but their motivation for doing so was very different.
Ranger Mark Bignell lost his long, blonde locks to a ‘number two’ cut because he wanted to do something for a good cause and to make his two young daughters, who had been supporting him with his plan, proud.
“I’ve been wanting to get my hair cut off since Christmas as it’s so hot but decided to hold off for Shave for a Cure because it’s a worthwhile cause,” Mark, who raised $785.80 said.
He said he planned to grow it all back and do it all again in a couple of years.
The Cabarita surfing enthusiasts will not miss the hair in his eyes in the surf but admits he will miss ribbing his partner, Council employee Sandra Zietlow, that his blonde hair is long than hers.
Sandra has arranged for Mark’s hair to be donated to a wigmaker in Sydney for medicinal uses.
For Water Supervisor, Jeff Holt, the Shave for a Cure event is more than just fun. Jeff has had Mylofibrosis (a bone marrow disorder) for the past eight years.
The Murwillumbah resident was prompted to start fundraising for Shave for a Cure by his friend of 40 years, George Heyer of Banora Point. George also was shaved this morning at the Council event.
“George has a blood disorder, Multiple Myeloma, so he thought it would be good if we did it together,” Jeff said.
“Today, 31 Australians like me will get the news they have blood cancer. Any donations will help the Leukaemia Foundation support them from the moment they are diagnosed, free of charge.”
The duo have raised just under $900 already but are hoping to get that up to $2,000. Council staff also raised an additional $450 which will go directly to the Leukaemia Foundation
Tweed Heads hairdresser, Rachel Hannah of Halo Hair in Kennedy Drive, donated her time to help Mark, Jeff and George shed their manes.
Although their heads have now been shaved, the three men are still fundraising.
To donate to Mark, visit
To donate to Jeff and George, visit
For more information about Shave for A Cure and the Leukaemia Foundation, visit
http://worldsgreatestshave.com/http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/TeamPage.aspx?teamID=74961
http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=478771
