When it has been 10 years since your last haircut, shaving off your hair is no small feat, but that is exactly what Monique Christensen is doing, and for good reason.
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In 2013, Monique and her five siblings received the devastating news that their mother, Margaret, had been diagnosed with multiple myelomas.
Since then Margaret, has moved back to her home town Tamworth and has been undergoing treatment.
It was this news that prompted Monique to shave her dreadlocks, a decision that was not made lightly.
During the past three years Monique has spent more than $3000 to maintain her dreadlocks and has not had a haircut in more than 10 years.
And, in a symbolic move, Monique has enlisted the talents of the person who has maintained her dreadlocks to shave them off.
“I’m a little bit worried about what I might look like, but also I can’t wait because the heat has been terrible,” she said.
Although the big day is only a month away, Monique is still unsure of what to do with her dreadlocks once they’re shaved.
“I might keep them,” she said. “I’m not sure if the Cancer Council accepts dreadlocks as a donation,” she quipped.
Margaret will travel from Tamworth to Rutherford for the day of the shave, which also happens to be her birthday.
“We have the world’s greatest mother,” Monique said. “She has supported each of us kids through life experiences good and bad without any complaints.”
Monique has been overwhelmed by the support of the local businesses and community with many business owners putting forward prizes for the raffles and auctions that will take place on the day of the shave.
So far Monique has raised $1052 online, and with a month to go hopes to reach her goal of $10,000 for the Cancer Council.
Monique will have her dreadlocks shaved at the Bradford Hotel on Sunday, February 28. There will also be raffles and auctions with the big shave happening at 2pm.
