G8 educator says goodbye to long hair to support Variety Foundation

Community Kids Thornton Educator Brooke Harper cut her hair for the first time in eight years as part of a broader fundraising effort for the Variety Foundation’s Hair With a Heart initiative.

Ms Harper, who is employed by G8 Education, contacted the Foundation expressing her interest in donating her hair to be made into a wig for a young child. As well as donating her hair, she gathered support under the banner of “Brooke’s Big Chop”, with the haircut taking place in front of a ready-made cheer squad of 90 children at Community Kids Thornton.

The service held a Crazy Hair Day to show their support and raise money for Variety. 

“Working in childcare I have known a few children who lost their hair to cancer treatment or conditions like alopecia,” Ms Harper explained. “It can be really hard for little ones going through those early years without hair and being able to help them just a little will be fantastic.”

Hairdresser Jessie Gleeson, whose child attends the centre, styled Ms Harper’s remaining locks into a flattering bob once the initial “chop” of her braided hair was made. 

The fundraising tally exceeded Ms Harper’s initial target of $500-$1,000, with the final amount raised topping $3,000.

“It has been an absolute joy seeing such generosity and getting so much help and support from everybody around me,” Ms Harper said. 

For more information about Hair with Heart, please see here.