McGrath breast care nurses provide support to individuals and families experiencing breast cancer.
They are a reliable and consistent point of contact for those who are fighting breast cancer — offering mental, emotional, and physical support to patients free of charge.
Mr Neilson, a plant-operator with Murrumbidgee Council, was introduced to the charity drive through a council flyer.
‘‘I saw a snippet about it in one of those council flyers, asking people to shave their head as part of a fundraising drive,’’ said Mr Neilson.
‘‘I figured, ‘why the hell not?’. My wife has a history of it (breast cancer) on her side, and it’s the same on my side, so I may as well pitch in.
‘‘Plus, it was time for a haircut anyway.’’
Not one to turn down an opportunity to do right by his community — or a free haircut — he volunteered his considerable locks to the cause.
Though shaving his hair wasn’t always part of the plan.
‘‘Originally, I was going to dye it pink,’’ he said.
‘‘I gave it a shot but the result quickly turned purple ... which wasn’t really the look I was after.
‘‘It took me a few showers before I could rinse it out.’’
Mr Neilson’s wife, Jenny, had more luck with the pink dye, and now sports a vibrant shade of pink in support of her husband’s efforts.
But he felt he could do more, and so a shave was organised with help from council’s people and culture officer Sarah Gurciullo.
Council CEO John Scarce took the opportunity to thank the Neilsons for their considerable efforts.
‘‘Congratulations to Wayne and his family for their highly successful fundraising campaign and also for raising awareness of breast cancer,’’ he said.
‘‘We're all very proud of Wayne and his wife Jenny for their achievements.’’
Mr Neilson’s fundraiser will remain open to donations indefinitely. You can donate at:
fundraise.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/fundraisers/wayneneilson
