General News
26 August, 2022
Local students get ponytail chop for a Great Cause
FIFTEEN students and three teachers at Trinity Anglican School (TAS) have broken their own fundraising record when they “got the chop” recently to help Queenslanders impacted by cancer.
The group surpassed their fundraising target of $25,000 when the students and teachers, who have been growing their locks for the past year in readiness for the event, lined up last Friday for their haircuts.
For more than five years, the annual ponytail chop has become a tradition for Year 12 TAS students to support the Cancer Council’s Ponytail Project.
For TAS school captain Aurelia Wood, being part of the ponytail chop project has been a goal of hers since primary school.
“I remember being in Year 7 and watching the Year 12 girls cutting the hair for the same fundraiser,” Aurelia said.
“And I went and told my mum and dad, ‘that’s what I’m going to do when I’m in Year 12’.
“It has taken seven years to grow my hair – I cut it in Year 4 for the same cause, and except for some trims here and there, I’ve grown it consistently.”
The students booked a local hairdresser to cut their locks in front of the school community so they could cheer the participants on.
The chopped ponytails will go to the Sustainable Salons organisation to manufacture wigs for people experiencing hair loss due to medical treatment.
Aurelia’s ponytail was over 60cm long and will be enough to make one child’s wig.
“I decided I wanted to cut my hair in Year 7, but at that stage in life, I hadn’t lost many people to cancer,” Aurelia said.
“But since then, I’ve lost five people, and so I’ve been very passionate about doing something to carry on their legacy.
“And if my hair can make a difference in a little girl’s life or a woman’s life and make her feel more confident, then that’s the best thing I could ever do.”
The students, led by Aurelia’s effort, have been fundraising for months through raffles, sausage sizzles, free dress days, and the support of sponsors. As a result, they surpassed the goal of $25,000 to donate to cancer research.
“I’m beyond proud,” Aurelia said.
“I didn’t think we’d get these many girls who wanted to cut their hair, and there’s so many of them.
“They’re so willing to give, they’re still committed to the cause, and everyone’s got a story behind it, so it’s great to see.”
Fundraising $25,000 is no easy task, and although the school supports the students in their efforts, some members of the community did not think it possible to reach that goal.
TAS Principal Sjogren was labelled as one of the “nonbelievers”, and he could not be prouder to be proven wrong, although it cost him a bet with the students that he would dye his hair.
“I’m incredibly proud of our community and their generosity,” Mr Sjogren said.
“We’ve lost a number of members of our community to cancer over the years, and to provide the opportunity for everyone to come together and achieve what we’ve achieved it’s amazing.”
In total, the students raised $25,396 and Aurelia on her own raised over $6,000, an amount Mr Sjogren thought was unachievable.
“Actually, I was one of the doubters,” he said.
“And I promised to get my hair dyed if they reached the goal – that gave them an extra impetus, and I’m very proud of what they’ve done.
“I’ll wash the purple off my hair tomorrow, and kudos to Aurelia and her team for the achievement.”
The drive to raise money for cancer research was not only close to the students’ hearts but also to the teachers.
Secondary school drama teacher Shannon Saunders lost her mum to cancer, making Friday’s celebration an emotional occasion for her.
“As a teacher, I’m very proud, and as a participant, even prouder,” Ms Saunders said.
“It’s a bit overwhelming, we all got into it knowing why we’re doing it, and when you get to the day, it kicks in even more.
“I lost my mum quite young, and as a student, we never had opportunities like this to give back and donate so much more than money.
“It’s exciting that girls at this age understand and comprehend what needs to be done and are actually doing it.”
Ms Saunders and Aurelia said they are both settling into their new haircut.
“I feel so much lighter,” Ms Saunders said.
“I was a very proud person with my hair when I was younger, and as I’m getting older, I’m coming to terms with shorter hair, so I’m happy with the cut.”
“It’s relieving,” Aurelia said.
“I think it’s a lot less shampoo and conditioner to use, and it’s going to be easier to look after.
“Chopping off our hair is a small price to pay to support those living with cancer,” she said.
