Debbie Daley shaves her hair for Charlie Teo Foundation, raises over $10,000 with more to come

“I do look different, people mightn’t know me or recognise me now,” she said.

The owner and operator of Junee’s Railway Station Cafe has spent the last few months planning to shave her hair for the Charlie Teo Foundation. 

On Saturday July 28, the day finally came to bid farewell to her locks. 

Despite the winter weather, Ms Daley said she did not feel the cold when the clippers were first raised.

“I was lucky with the day, it was cool but Sunday was a lot worse. At least there was some sun on Saturday,” she said.

But a warm woolly hat will become a staple of her look as August’s chill approaches.

Ms Daley has wanted to do something to support the brain cancer charity ever since her brother passed away from an inoperable tumor on December 29, 2012.

He had been diagnosed just six days before.

In the lead up to Saturday, the Junee community helped Ms Daley raise more than $10,000 for the foundation, far exceeding her expectations. 

But with several more events planned for the remainder of the year, Ms Daley is hoping to double that amount by the end of the year.

“I’m just glad I could do it. I’m just trying to make a difference. But without the community’s support it wouldn’t have happened,” she said.

“I’ve had amazing helpers, [from my] work colleagues to the high school – I call them my young heroes – they’ve all helped me fundraise.”