Tayla has a new look for summer

WONTHAGGI’S Tayla McGregor was willing to sacrifice some hair for a cause on Melbourne Cup eve with Kim Rose of KD’s Barber Shop in Korumburra happy to assist at Korumburra Middle Hotel.

First the 11-year-old’s hair had to be measured and arranged into multiple ponytails and tied, with each ponytail needing to be 35.5 centimetres long.

Kim then cut the ponytails off above the ties, Tayla’s father Robert having a bag at the ready into which the hair was placed for donation to children’s charity Variety Club’s ‘Hair with Heart’ initiative.

The hair will be used to make wigs for children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions such as alopecia; the wigs boosting their confidence and self-esteem.

Tayla is also helping raise funds for the Variety Club.

Local businesses got behind the cause, with support from Chapmans Butchery in Inverloch, Korumburra’s Burra Barber, Barnzee’s Hot Bake, KD’s Barber Shop and the Korumburra Middle Hotel.

Variety is given money for the donated hair, which goes directly back into its programs, so Tayla’s hair will also help Variety provide practical equipment and experiences for many more kids and families facing challenges through illness, disability, and disadvantage.

Tayla originally donated hair to Variety when aged just five.

“My hair was long and I didn’t want to cut it because it would go to waste, and mum said we could donate it instead,” Tayla said, explaining how the association with Variety began.

Variety Victoria CEO, Mandy Burns, says people such as Tayla make a big difference to helping kids. 

“Variety doesn’t receive any government funding, so every wig and every piece of equipment granted to families is thanks to the amazing efforts of people like Tayla,” Mandy said. 

To assist in Tayla’s fundraising efforts, visit hairwithheart.variety.org.au/fundraisers/taylamcgregor