New look raises $35,000
With a bit of Dutch courage and mountains of cheers, Derby woman Jenny Hughes stepped into the barber's chair last Friday night and raised more than $35,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.
The mother of two joined the many other West Australians who participated in this year's World's Greatest Shave.
Mrs Hughes took up the challenge to pay tribute to her cancer survivor husband and raise funds to help other sufferers.
After weeks of raising funds, the Derby resident's big moment finally came as punters, family and friends packed the Derby Sportsmen's Club to see her go under the razor.
Just before the shave, Mrs Hughes had a few glasses of wine for "Dutch courage".
Throughout the night, locals dug deep to support the brave mum and contributed to her total of more than $35,000, with some donations yet to be counted.
Speaking a few days after the event, Mrs Hughes told the _Broome Advertiser _the night had been an incredible success.
"It was such a good night … the town rallied together," she said.
"My husband got up and gave a speech and he got a bit teary … everybody got behind us … it was very humbling."
Mrs Hughes said she could not thank people enough for their support and hoped the money she raised would go towards making "someone else's journey easier".
In the meantime, she said she was still adjusting to her new look.
"It's different," she said.
"I'm finding it hard to sleep because it's cold."
Mrs Hughes will donate her blonde locks to a worthy cause.
