When young Jack Baranowski decided several years ago that he wanted to take part in the World’s Greatest Shave, he was determined to deliver more than a few loose locks.
Jack, aka Jack Sparrow, was eight at the time and sported an ample head of hair.
Now, three years on, the 11-year-old sports a mane that measures an impressive 14-inches.
Next month he will have it lopped off for the annual fundraiser for the Leukaemia Foundation, supporting Australian’s affected by blood cancer and funding scientific research into the disease.
At age eight, Jack decided that he wanted to grow enough hair to make a wig for children that are diagnosed with cancer.
His mother, Lucy, had told him about a young girl she had met who was undergoing chemotherapy and had lost her hair.
Looking back on his decision Jack said, “I felt like I wanted to help.”
Jack, who is in year 6, now has hair that is well beyond his waist. The shave will take place on March 16.
The Worlds Greatest Shave from March 14 to 16.
Jack’s parents have set up both a Facebook and secure donation page to help their son fundraise and so far he has raised over $2,000.
While Jack is proud of how much he has achieved so far, he’s hoping to see the tally grow.
In Australia, 35 people each day will be diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or another blood cancer and every two hours one person will lose their life because of it.
Blood cancer claims more lives than breast cancer or melanoma and is a disease that can develop in anyone, at any age and at any time. There are currently more than 60,000 people in Australia living with blood cancer or a related disorder.
The Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave started 20 years ago.
If you would like to help Jack by making a donation or learn more about him, search “Jack Sparrow - Love is in the Hair” on Facebook.
As Jack said: “I am so ready to make a change in the world - you can help too!”