Hair for care – Dean Barrett is shaving off his long hair next week to raise money for the Leu

By Lia Bichel
A NOBLE Park man will shave his hair off in honour of the brother he never met.
Twenty-one year old Dean Barrett will lose his long locks next month as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
Before Mr Barrett was born, his brother Mark died of leukaemia at the age of 13.
“I didn’t know much about the disease when I was younger,” Mr Barrett said.
“But now I know what a scummy disease it is and what a major problem it is.”
Mr Barrett shaved his long goatee for the event two years ago and raised about $100.
He is well on his way to tripling that amount this year.
“I want to raise at least $250 and I am pretty close already,” he said.
“Everyone’s been pretty supportive, even though no-one believes I am actually going to do it. I’ve had long hair since I was about 16.”
Mr Barrett, who is a member of the 2nd Springvale Scouts Bunerong Rovers group, plans to shave his head in front of about 120 fellow members at a scouts camp in the first weekend of March. His 23-year-old brother Lee planned to donate $100 to be the lucky man in control of the shaver.
Mr Barrett said he looked forward to getting rid of his 40 centimetre long hair and being able to touch his scalp.
A World’s Greatest Shave spokesperson said more people from the City of Greater Dandenong were needed to participate in the event.
For more information visit www.worldsgreatestshave.com.