EACH year, Mansfield Primary School's participation in the World's Greatest Shave gets bigger, breaking records set the previous year. An annual tradition the school has been participating in the Leukaemia Foundation fundraising initiative for over a decade, with this year's cohort of grade sixes going under the clippers last Thursday, May 15. Raising funds for blood cancer research and support, the months long build-up and actual day have become a significant event in the school calendar. The fundraiser is just as much a right of passage for the grade sixes as Mansfield Primary's School to Summit program and each year the whole school turns out to cheer the students on, with the year groups below aspiring to participate in the shave when they too reach the top of the school. Mansfield Primary School's Kathryn Hewitt has been organising the World's Greatest Shave at the school since 2022. "This year has been our biggest yet, with a record number of students participating in the World’s Greatest Shave and colouring their hair in support of the cause," said Ms Hewitt. "I'm thrilled to share that our team has currently raised an incredible $27,583 for the Leukaemia Foundation, placing us second in Victoria for total funds raised. "We’ve also received additional cash donations, which I haven’t yet had a chance to tally—so that total is likely to climb even higher." In total, 45 students took part, with 21 bravely shaving their heads. The top individual fundraisers were Elora Cordon raising an impressive $4781, Charlie Howie $3258 and Molly O’Meara $2368. "While these contributions are outstanding, every team member played an important role in achieving this result," said Ms Hewitt. "It was a genuine team effort, and the school couldn’t be prouder of them all."
