By Bonny Burrows
Andrew Daley has always had long hair.
He remembers being a Catholic schoolboy, tucking his hair into his collar to meet dress code requirements.
His hair has always been a major part of his identity.
However, the 44-year-old Pakenham man will next month shave his locks and long beard off as part of the World’s Greatest Shave, raising money for cancer research.
The impact of cancer is something Mr Daley knows personally, after losing his mother to Leukaemia 30 years ago and currently witnessing his father fight neck cancer which has since spread to the lungs.
Mr Daley hopes his bold statement will make a lasting impression on his friends, family and broader community, who know the personal significance of his hair and the importance of the cause.
“I love having a beard and love having long hair. Hopefully, that commitment shows other people out there I’m willing to go out and make a difference,” Mr Daley said.
“I’m not much of a cyclist or a ‘run around the bay’ kind of person, so this is something I can do.”
Mr Daley aims to raise $1500 for the cause, and with just over a week of fund-raising he has raised about $500.
However, he’d love to “smash” that goal, as he only sees the cancer prevalence rate increasing.
“I believe that in 15 to 20 years’ time the conversation of a person not having cancer is going to be shocking,” Mr Daley said.
“Every second person is currently affected. We need that magical cure to be found somewhere.”
Mr Daley is fund-raising right up until he shaves his beard and hair on 21 March at his Simplot workplace.
Donations can be made at my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/simplotpakenham
