Locks to be lopped for a cause

Dunsborough Primary School chaplain Ryan Moore is set to lose his dreadlocks this month, signing up to face the clippers as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.

Mr Moore, also a youth co-ordinator at Cornerstone Church, has had his dreadlocks on and off for about five years, and while he was looking forward to the shave, the chaplain admitted: “I’m quite attached to them”.

Joining Mr Moore in the barber’s chair will be his friend Jake Sheedy, who is also going under the clippers for the cause.

Mr Moore is aiming to raise $1200 and has already received about $800.

Having volunteered in several community roles — including with Red Frogs helping school leavers in Bali — Mr Moore told the Times he had seen posters advertising the World’s Greatest Shave earlier in the year and decided to jump on board after looking into the fundraising drive further.

The shave, to be held on Friday, March 17, will also encourage students at Dunsborough Primary School to get involved with the effort through a Freaky Hair Friday fundraiser organised by the school’s student council.

Leukaemia Foundation community relationships manager Deb Wilkins said the organisation was “delighted” Mr Moore had joined the drive.

“It’s really nice when young people want to help others,” she said.

Statistics provided by the foundation show more than 60,000 people across Australia are living with blood cancer or related disorders, with another 35 people diagnosed every day.

In WA, 25 people a week are diagnosed with blood cancer.

Mr Moore’s fundraising page can be found at tinyurl.com/zmx67zw.