For most people, letting a five-year-old loose on their hair with a pair of electric shavers wouldn’t be something to look forward to.
For Michael Walters, it was a privilege.
Walters was one of four Freo players to have his head shaved on Thursday as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave, which took place at the club’s 2014 Australia Post AFL Community Camp clinic in Pinjarra.
“I haven’t had my head shaved since I was in year six,” Walters said.
“I was glad Xavier did it for me, I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to do it.
“It was great to be part of such an amazing initiative and to show Xavier that he is not alone as he fights this disease.”
Xavier Westcott is a local Pinjarra resident who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June 2013.
He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, but that didn’t stop the avid Freo fan from coming along to help out with the shave this afternoon.
Walters, along with four of his teammates, took part in the shave before the Super Clinic at Pinjarra Football Club kicked off.
The World’s Greatest Shave runs during the month of March and Walters’ advice to people thinking about getting a ‘new do’ is straight forward.
“I liked my old comb over, but at the end of the day it’s just hair and it will always grow back,” he said.
“I’m fortunate to have my health, I have kids of my of my own, so I wanted to show Xavier that he has people who will help him through this.
“Us players wanted to be part of it because we want to show people who are going through a tough time that they are not alone.
“I’d encourage everyone to either support someone doing the shave, or sign up for the shave themselves.”
It was the first time in years Walters has had his head shaven and he was happy to be able to support a great cause.
“I wanted to be a part of it because I want the kids who are going through a tough time to know they are not alone,” he said.
“Their hair might fall out during treatment, but we want to let them know it’s not a big deal, we’re happy to have it happen to us and we want them to know we are here to support them and that we are hanging in for the ride.”
