HAIR today, gone tomorrow will be the case for a Tantanoola teenager who has made the “bald” decision to shed his beloved dreadlocks for charity.
Zane Walker will host a Shed the Dread fundraiser at the Tantanoola Tiger Hotel tomorrow in memory of his father Paul and to raise funds for beyondblue.
Sadly, Paul took his life four years ago, but Zane remembers him as a kind-hearted, hard-working, generous, helpful and loving father, son, brother and friend who loved sport, helping others and following his children’s passions and hobbies.
The 19-year-old has had dreadlocks for majority of his teenage years and said he had mixed emotions about having his locks chopped.
“I am happy and sad to be getting rid of my dreadlocks,” he said.
“I am sad because it has taken a while to get them maintained to where they are today, but I am also happy as I am raising money for a great cause.
“I have had my dreadlocks coming up to five years this year.
“They were maintained and had numerous haircuts from a loctician.
“I had them cut shorter in the summer and footy season because they would get very hot and heavy.”
Zane highlighted the importance of supporting organisations like beyondblue, as well as sharing their message.
“The more people know about beyondblue the greater their impact,” he said.
“Many of us have been affected by anxiety and depression, either personally or through family, friends or colleagues.
“Right now, over one million people in Australia experience depression and two million are experiencing anxiety.
“On average, eight people take their lives every day in Australia, so it’s important that we all get onboard and share beyondblue because there are people out there that can help, you are never alone.
“Having had to experience losing a family member, depression is not talked enough about and it needs to be spoken about more often, how it affects people and the resources out there.”
The Shed the Dread fundraiser will kick off at 5.30pm tomorrow at the Tiger Hotel.
As well as the head shave there will be a market night with vouchers and goods donated by a number of local businesses.
Local band Skyline Haze has also donated its time to provide entertainment throughout the event.
Zane said he was shocked but grateful for the generosity of the business sector.
“We are so excited for Friday night and are very blessed to have such kind-hearted people supporting this cause,” he said.
“We not only need to support this event, but we need to continue the support to reduce the rate of deaths of our loved ones.”
Donations can be made ateverydayhero.com/au/shed-the-dread or via the donation tin at Country Post and Bistro in Glencoe.
