When Debbie Daley goes for her next haircut, the whole town will be watching.
Ms Daley has owned and operated the heritage Railway Cafe for the past nine years.
Now, she is preparing to shave her head entirely on July 28 to raise money for the Charlie Teo Foundation.
The event will take place in Railway Square from 11 in the morning, and will involve a range of street entertainment, market stalls, and children’s activities.
Ms Daley has been planning the day for months, but her affinity to the brain cancer foundation began years ago.
“I lost my brother suddenly in 2012 to an inopperable brain tumor,” Ms Daley said.
“He was diagnosed on the 24th of December, and he died on December 29th. I wanted to do something in his memory.”
On the same day two years before, Ms Daley’s father passed away from a heart attack.
“I just remember I kept thinking, ‘not today, not today’, but we had to turn his life support off and he did go on that same day.
“I was always quite close with my brother, and to his family.”
He left behind his three young children, who have now been instrumental in helping Ms Daley prepare for the big day.
Together, they have already exceeded the $10,000 goal set when Ms Daley hosted a fundraiser high tea in May for about 180 guests.
The day’s organisation well on its way to completion, there are now only a few practical concerns remaining.
The biggest of which being the weather. When it comes time for the clippers to be raised, Ms Daley is hoping she will be graced by a warm afternoon sun, otherwise August’s approach will be particularly chilly.
“The rest of winter I guess I’ll be wearing a beanie,” she said.
“I don’t think people will particularly care how I look, but hopefully it will grow back quickly.
“Before now, I’d never considered shaving my head, but I’m happy to do it for a good cause. The research is just so important.”
