Family haircuts a buzz for charity

LIKE father, like son is a fitting phrase for Andrew and Riley Dent.
The duo lost their locks last week when they took part in The Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave fundraiser.
Mr Dent is no stranger to close shaves through his work as a hairdresser at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. But he has never been on the receiving end of the clippers, like he was outside Andrew’s Barber Shop on Friday night.
Mr Dent’s son, Riley, 9, also got a buzz cut. Together they raised more than $2200 for charity.
Riley, a student at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School in Berwick, had the full support of his school.
The youngster had his head shaved in front of students and staff at a special assembly.
Mr Dent said he was extremely proud of his son’s efforts.
“It all went along really well,” he said.
“The principal got him up on stage and congratulated him on his effort.”
Mr Dent said Westfield helped make his own shave a great success. “The shopping centre was great. We set up a stage and had about 60 people watching it,” he said.
The World’s Greatest Shave fundraiser also involves people colouring their hair for the day.
Event officials said more than 100,000 people across Australia shaved or coloured their hair for charity. Money raised from the World’s Greatest Shave helps support leukaemia patients and their families. Brentwood Park Primary School students also got in on the cause by coming to school with some crazy hair styles.
The Student Representative Council organised the day, which was supported by the whole school community.
Just under $300 was raised.