THE atmosphere was electric at Monivae College last Friday, as 12 students braved the shave (and chop) for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.

The student body gathered in the school courtyard at both recess and lunchtime to eagerly watch on, and join in the chaos of the shave for a good cause.

It was a strong fundraising campaign by those involved, who collectively raised a whopping $9375, well exceeding their original goal of $6000.

Year 12 vice-captain, Bella Nicholls said organiser, Ben Read had done a good job putting the event together and everyone was so happy to be involved.

“Our group all individually fundraised which was good … we did a lot of social media stuff with Kylie (Schurmann) … and then we all individually did social media stuff, so we all promoted our fundraising pretty well on Facebook and Instagram.

“We raised $6000 first and then we had to bump up our goal … it’s so good, it’s good for the school community too, kind of matches our ethos.”

By rocking a bald head or a significantly shorter style, the student’s stand in solidarity with the 110,000 patients and families currently facing a blood cancer diagnosis.

Funds raised through the Worlds Greatest Shave go toward accommodation for patients and their families while receiving treatment, transportation to medical appointments, clinical trials, and personalised support.

Six students donated their ponytails this year, with the long locks sent off to become charitable wigs for those who have lost their hair during treatment.

For the students with a little less hair to share, clippings were donated to Sustainable Salons’ Hair Boom Project, where shorter clippers are stuffed into stockings and used to soak up oil spills in the ocean.

Miss Nicholls said the annual event continued to draw in new participants each year, and it was great to see so many willing to get involved.

“Obviously it’s such a good cause, and cancer affects everyone so differently, so it's so good to try and combat it and it makes kids feel so special and included, because everyone knows someone that’s going through it,” she said.