By Casey Neill
Dandenong North man Frank Darcy hasn’t been without his moustache in 52 years.
“I’ve added to it over the past four weeks,” he said.
“On 19 March everything above the shoulders will be coming off this beautiful head, and that hasn’t happened since I was 18.”
The 70-year-old is among several Greater Dandenong residents doing their bit for the World’s Greatest Shave.
They’ll donate cash raised for sacrificing their locks to the Leukaemia Foundation.
“A friend of mine has been battling leukaemia for nearly three years,” Mr Darcy said.
“I know what a great job the Leukaemia Foundation have done.
“The Noble Park RSL have backed me up.
“We’re having a big day at the Noble Park RSL with auctions, raffles, live music, sausage sizzles and all of that kind of thing.”
He said “the shave to beat all shaves” will take place between 1pm and 3pm.
Dandenong man Colin Gibbons is returning with his third shave event at Dandenong Workers Social Club on Sunday 5 March.
From 11am to 3pm there’ll be a gold coin barbecue, live music, a rock and roll dancing exhibition, raffles, representatives from the emergency services, and haircuts and colouring.
“Every one of us here today has been touched or we know someone who has been touched by this terrible illness, let’s raise as much as we can and have a great day of it,” Mr Gibbons said.
The event raised more than $3000 in its inaugural year and $7500 last year.
Dandenong single mum Renee Jones is shaving her head for three reasons.
“First, my best friend Belinda suffered from leukaemia for the first seven years of her life.
“In and out of hospitals was a normal thing for her.
“Even though she did beat this horrible illness it was a very trying time for her and her family.”
Secondly, she’d like to know what her natural hair colour is.
“People may actually find out I am not really a blonde and just not the sharpest tool in the shed!” she said.
Third, she’ll save time on washing her hair.
Ms Jones will be completing her shave at work on Friday 3 March.
More than 31 Australians are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma every day, and an Australian will lose their life to blood cancer every two hours.
The Leukaemia Foundation funds research and free support for blood cancer sufferers and their families.
Visit www.worldsgreatestshave.com.au to donate.
