A number of Bridgestone franchisees took part in the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave on the 13-17 March, including Bridgestone Service Centre Willunga franchisee Mandy Thomas. 

Mandy hadn’t cut her hair from more than 20 years, yet she took the plunge and shaved it all off at a special event she and her husband Wayne held at the service centre on 16 March.

Mandy said she had initially wanted to donate her hair to her mother, who passed away from bowel cancer two years ago.

“Sadly I lost my mum to bowel cancer two years ago. I had offered to give her my hair for a wig if she needed it but unfortunately she passed away before it ever came to that.

“When I decided to shave my head for the World’s Greatest Shave it made sense to look at donating it to a wig-maker – which I’ll be doing,” said Mandy.

She said Bridgestone has supported the Leukaemia Foundation for more than 25 years, particularly through the provision of patient transport vehicles.

“We like to add further support wherever possible and the World’s Greatest Shave is a great opportunity to do so.”

Mandy and Wayne hosted a sausage sizzle, garage sale and raffle on the day, and they were able to raise around $2000 for the cause.

Alun Cooksley, general manager retail at Bridgestone also shaved his head during an event held at Bridgestone Select Magill on 13 March.

“The World’s Greatest Shave is a fantastic initiative – the funds raised go towards helping the foundation provide free practical and emotional support to people with blood cancer and their families,” he said.

Bridgestone Select, Bridgestone Service Centre and Bridgestone Tyre Centre franchisees throughout Australia will continue to collect donations on behalf of the Leukaemia Foundations as part of the World’s Greatest Shave until the end of March.