Among those braving the clippers in 2018 is LJ Hooker Cessnock business systems operator Lisa Petersen.

Lisa says she has been talking about participating in the World’s Greatest Shave for a few years – and now she’s has finally doing it.

“I have wanted to shave my head for many years for this great cause but something has always come up,” she said.

“In recent months we have had family members diagnosed with cancer so I took this as a great opportunity to finally shave.”

While most women who take part in the event usually have a number three or four cut, Lisa is going all the way back to a number two.

She said she’s not worried about being bald, as her hair usually grows fast.

This year is the World’s Greatest Shave’s 20^th anniversary. Over the past two decades, more than 1.9 million Australians of all ages have helped the Leukaemia Foundation in its efforts to beat blood cancer by getting sponsored to shave, colour, wax, cut pony tails, banish beards and trim top knots.

Leukaemia Foundation CEO Bill Petch is encouraging anyone who has been thinking about shaving for some time to make 2018 their year to sign up.

“Whether you have a personal connection to blood cancer or simply want to have fun and raise money for a good cause, we’re asking Australians to join the World’s Greatest Shave for our big 20th anniversary,” Mr Petch said.

“With your help we’re aiming to raise $16 million so more people survive their blood cancer.”

Money raised will give free emotional and practical support to families facing blood cancer (including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma) and help fund vital research.

For the first time, the World’s Greatest Shave is going green in 2018 thanks to a partnership with Sustainable Salons Australia.

This means long ponytails snipped from those taking part in the event will be turned into wigs for cancer patients, shorter hair clippings will be transformed into compost and floating booms to absorb oil spills at sea, and empty cans of coloured hairspray will be diverted away from landfill back into recycled resources. 

Lisa’s big shave will take place at LJ Hooker Cessnock on Saturday, March 17, and she has set a fundraising target of $5000.

Natalie from Hair by Natalie in Rutherford will donate her services for the shave.

The event will be open to the public, with raffles and finger food, kicking off at 2pm. 

Raffle prizes include a weekend at Nelson Bay, tickets to Hunter Valley Gardens and Hunter Valley Zoo, wine and food voucher and more. Tickets are $2 or three for $5.

If you can’t make it on the day, but would like to buy a raffle ticket or make a donation, call into LJ Hooker at 84 Vincent Street, Cessnock during business hours.

Donations can also be made online here.