Tom’s mullet makes a difference

And by the time his long locks came off, Tom had managed to raise $9,500.

With cash donations and a few other pledges to be counted, he’s likely to smash his goal of raising $10,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Tom braved the shave in front of a crowd of about 50 people, at a cattle sale hosted by his parents Matt and Melissa Way.

He was supported by his parents and siblings Chloe and Harry, as well as his school friends who were able to attend thanks to a pupil free day.

Mrs Way said Tom was inspired to fundraise for cancer charities because they knew of people who had battled and lost their fight with cancer.

“Even though blood cancer was not the reason we lost them, this was something Tom could do to help,” Mrs Way said.

“We were having a conversation about a family member who had passed, and Tom asked us ‘how do we stop cancer?’.

“We told his that while you can’t stop it, there are ways you can raise money to help ease someone’s burden.

“We mentioned the shave for a cure, and after we explained it would include losing his mullet he said ‘I want to do that’.”

That was two years ago, not long after Tom’s sister Chloe helped him develop his mullet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Simone Learmonth from Barber and Threadz, who has been helping Tom groom his mullet ever since, did the honours of lopping it off on Friday.

“Doing the shave at the cattle sale meant we got a few extra donations we might not have otherwise received,” Melissa said.

“Tom has been supported throughout by the Deniliquin Rams, Deniliquin South School, a lot of local businesses and friends and family.

“He initially set a goal of raising $2000, but when we reached that within the first 48 hours we increased it to $10,000.

“And now it looks like we’ll reach that too.

“Tom has also chosen to donate his hair to Sustainable Salons. It will either be used to make wigs or, if not suitable for that purpose, be recycled for environmental purposes.”

During his fundraiser, Tom and his family have been reading up on how the money raised is used to support people with blood cancer.

They cross checked the donation total with the Leukaemia Foundation’s milestones list.

“For example, we learned that $80 provides the first night of accommodation for a family which has urgently relocated for life‑saving treatment with nowhere to stay.

“I said to Tom (Monday morning) that with the amount he has raised, he may have potentially saved a life.

“He just looked at me and said ‘I know, Mum’, and had tears in his eyes.”

Last minute donations are still being accepted online. Go to https://worldsgreatestshave.com/donate and search for ‘Tom Way’.