Tamzen’s tresses to tackle the teasers

Hedland youngster Tamzen McGregor, 5, has chopped her locks for charity in an effort to help children and fight bullying.

The Port Hedland Primary School student cut about 64cm of hair last week to raise funds and materials for Variety’s Hair with Heart program, which makes wigs for children in need.

Tamzen said raising $3755.88 through raffles and fundraising, with the finale at the Port Hedland Yacht Club on March 17, was a good feeling.

“It’s good, I wanted to cut it for Variety so kids wouldn’t be bullied, because it’s not a nice thing,” she said.

“It feels nice — (my hair is) easier to brush and wash.”

Tamzen’s locks are on their way to New South Wales by post and will become one of more than 17,775 hair donations from 2496 fundraisers across Australia. Proud mother Fiona McGregor, who set up an online funding page for the project, said the decision was made to cut for charity last October, assisted by staff from Hair Works Port Hedland and Hedland Barbers.

“She’s always had her hair long; at a dance concert in October she decided that she would do this,” Mr McGregor said.

“She told me one day that she didn’t want to have long hair any more and hated having it brushed and it’s hot up here — we said don’t just cut it, do it for a reason in support of something.

“She decided that because kids were sad about losing their hair due to cancer and had to wear wigs, she would do it for the kids — she was so excited, I cried and I was really proud of her.”