Picture: BROOKE LITTLEWOOD
AFTER three years of cultivation, Nathan “Chuckie” Reilly has decided its time to face the clippers and bid farewell to his trademark dreadlocks.
The 16-year-old will lose his locks next month when he takes part in Cut or Colour for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF), which funds research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer.
Nathan said he looks forward to saying goodbye to his matted locks and saying hello to a fresh clean-cut look.
“I decided to get my hair cut because I was getting bored with it and wanted to do something crazy,” he said.
“I thought it would be a good idea to do it for a good cause and not throw away the three and a half year journey, but instead finish it with something epic.
“I am happy to lose my dreadlocks because it is the end of a journey that was pretty crazy.
“It is definitely a big move to just shave your head out of nowhere and anybody who knows me knows that my hair means a hell of a lot.
“Most people do not even know how I look with short hair.”
Nathan will host his head shave at the Somerset Hotel Motel in Millicent on Saturday, December 1 from 2pm.
As part of the event, he will hold a raffle with all proceeds going towards fighting cancer and prizes donated by Millicent businesses.
Nathan’s family members including his mother Joylene – who said she “could not wait to see the disgusting things gone” – will be given the honour of cutting the dreads.
Meanwhile, Alisha Bell from Kutz on Kentish will complete the shave.
Nathan hopes to raise $2000 and has already collected a number of full donation tins from Millicent businesses.
“My hair often sparked conversation with those interested in my wacky dreadlocks, but now it’s going to bring people even closer,” he said.
“ACRF’s work is really important and I want to do what I can to help, but there is only so much I can do on my own.”
As well as attending the head shave, people can show their support online at tinyurl.com/nathanscut or through the donation tins at supporting businesses.
