Beau and his teacher lose locks

"I'M shaving my head so no kids will have leukaemia - only me," a softly spoken Beau Witt said yesterday.

Picture: Craig Warhurst

“I'M shaving my head so no kids will have leukaemia- only me,” a softly spoken Beau Witt said yesterday.

“Don't be silly - if they find a cure you won't have leukaemia either,” his mum Lee said as she brushed his hair with her hand.

The six-year-old Kin Kin State School student has been battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for 22 months.

His strength and courage while undergoing continuous chemotherapy is the inspiration for Kin Kin school teacher Brigid McKechnie to shave off her Rapunzel-like tresses as well.

“Beau has been having treatment since he has been at school and I just want to help him out as much as I can,” Brigid said yesterday.

“We want to try and keep Beau healthy and I think it's important for adults to model behaviour that helps others.

The 49-year-old teacher says it's been more than 36 years since she's had a full-on haircut.

Her hair measures more than a metre in length and reaches past her buttocks.

“My mum gave me a bowl cut when I was 13. That was my last proper cut, except for a few trims to get rid split ends. I'm a bit nervous, but Beau will look after me on the day - he's a very brave boy,” she said.

The pair is calling on other people who would like to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation to join their team called 'Brig, Beau and the Baldy Buddies' and shave for a cure.

They already have another six participants willing to lose their locks for the cause.

And Beau says there's no reason to be scared about going bald - he's been there before.

“It feels funny - sort of smooth and soft,” he said.

Beau's mum Lee said that despite Beau's daily dose of oral chemotherapy drugs, things had been going well for her son recently.

“He's had only three hospital stays since Christmas,” she said. “It's his fourth week at school and he hasn't missed a day.

“He's feeling good at the moment.”

Last year Beau missed a lot of school because of ongoing treatment and low blood counts.

“When his blood count is low his body can't fight infection,” Lee said.

“When other kids are sick at school Beau has to stay away too for fear of him getting sick,” she said.

Brigid and Beau are looking to raise at least $10,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.

“I know it's a big goal, but we're going to try,” Brigid said. “I can get $150 for my hair if I sell it to a wig company, but I think I'll get a lot more if I put it on E-bay,” she said.

Brig, Beau and the Baldy Buddies will shave on the Friday, March 13 and are looking for as many sponsors as they can get.

• If you'd like to donate to the cause, you can go online to World's Greatest Shave, send a cheque or money order made out to the Leukaemia Foundation, c/- 15 Hector Street, Boreen Point 4565, visit the Kin Kin State School or ring Lee Witt on 5485 4297.

Originally published as Beau and his teacher lose locks