50 students from one school take part in World’s Greatest Shave

Hayden McLucas has had many haircuts in his 12 years but none as meaningful as this. One of about 50 students at his southeast Queensland school to take part in World’s Greatest Shave, this year’s event hit close to home.

Hayden McLucas with his parents Andrew and Rita McLucas. Picture: AAP /Renae Droop

Fifty students from a school north of Brisbane shaved off their hair as part of the World’s Greatest Shave. One student, Hayden McLucas, had a very special reason for taking part.

Hayden McLucas has had many haircuts in his 12 years but none as meaningful as the one he received on Friday afternoon.

The Year 8 Grace Lutheran College student had his hair shaved off for the World’s Greatest Shave.

Hayden McLucas with his Poppy Bob McLucas at the school. Photo: AAP /Renae Droop

While he was one of 50 students at the school to get involved Hayden had a very special reason for taking part.

He lost his ‘Nannie’, Sharyn McLucas, to cancer on March 6.

It had been her fourth battle with the disease.

In fact they thought she had beat it.

The school takes part in the Leukaemia Foundation fundraiser every year.

“I did see it last year, but it didn’t cross my mind to take part,” Hayden said.

“This year it just felt more meaningful to me.

“I want to do it every year now as a way to remember (her).”

Hayden McLucas gets his hair shaved for the World's Greatest Shave. Photo supplied

Hayden was the school’s highest fundraiser this year raising more than $2600 in just a month.

“$350 was my goal, I now have more than $2600, which is a pretty good increase,” he said.

Hayden said once his friends and teachers realised he was serious they were “really supportive”.

“I had one teacher, who is my favourite teacher, donate $100 dollars. His mum had breast cancer,” Hayden said.

“I saw a statistic the other day that one in three people know someone who has been affected by cancer, which is crazy.”

Hayden said he hoped the money he and the school raised would help find a cure for cancer.

“So many people go through what my Nannie and family have gone through,” he said.

“They are getting closer (to a cure). It means a lot that one day in the future, maybe in thirty years, we could have a cure.”

Some of the Grace Lutheran College Rothwell students and teachers who took part in the World's Greatest Shave last week. Photo supplied

Hayden’s parents Rita and Andrew were impressed with their son’s efforts and bravery. But it was his Poppy Bob McLucas, who has also battled cancer, who was most proud.

Altogether Grace Lutheran College Rothwell raised $33,571.06 for the cause.

“It’s a wonderful effort by our students who really lead this event and get behind it every year in order to raise such an incredible amount for the Foundation,” college principal David Radke said.