Tara Barnes traded her wavy blond locks for a buzz cut on Saturday when she braved the clippers to take part in the World’s Greatest Shave at Trafalgar Public Hall.

The 31-year-old mother of two from Moe South raised more than $2800 at the community fundraiser, which also included a silent auction, face painting, kids craft, and morning tea.

This, coupled with her previous fundraising efforts, brought Tara’s total raised for the Leukaemia Foundation to an impressive $7674, with more donations still coming in.

All money raised will go towards cancer research and patient support.

Tara was motivated to get involved in the World’s Greatest Shave after close friend Kylie O’Farrell’s father was diagnosed with aggressive cancer.

“He was first diagnosed six years ago and has battled the disease successfully twice during that time,” Tara said.

“Unfortunately the cancer is now back again and this time it’s a blood cancer as a result of his previous intensive chemotherapy. It’s just devastating.”

Tara comforted her friend, but hated feeling helpless and started thinking of something she could do.

“That’s when I decided to shave my head and it snowballed to become a big fundraiser for the Leukaemia Foundation.

“Local businesses got behind me and I had great support in the form of donations to the auction, and other contributions. It was a wonderful community effort.

“Hopefully the money raised and the research it funds helps my friend and her family, and in the long run hopefully it helps prevent other families going through what they are.”

Donations to Tara’s fundraising effort can still be made by searching for Tara Barnes at www.worldsgreatestshave.com.

Tara also encouraged people to become blood and bone marrow donors to help those battling blood cancers.

Photo credit: Colour of Life Photography