DORIS Thackery proved why she's a champ when she shaved her head to help people with cancer.
The Uniting Agewell Lillian Martin Community resident, who celebrated her 99th birthday the day after the event, offered to shave her head if the community in Hobart raised more than $2000 for the Cancer Council's Relay For Life marathon.
The Mornington community beat that goal, raising more than $2300, and Doris made good her promise.
Speaking just before the event, Doris said it all started as a joke when a male carer shaved his head for the event last year.
"I asked 'Why should men get to have all the fun?', and decided it's time women get to do it as well," she said.
"I'm not nervous at all, at my age I'm ready for anything - and with two daughters having had cancer, I'm very committed to the cause."
After having all her thick locks shaved to a close crop, Doris said it felt nice having her head shaved. "Now it feels strange," she laughed. "I've always had a lot of hair."
This is the third year Lillian Martin residents have taken part in the Relay For Life marathon, with family members and volunteers helping residents complete laps of the facility and grounds.
Integrated services manager Vicki Mills said not only had the training given everyone an opportunity to exercise, it had developed comaraderie and brought the whole community together.
"On top of the usual restorative care with physiotherapists, residents trained by taking part in walking groups, strength training and exercising on bikes together with the chaplain, lifestyle staff and volunteers," she said.
"It was a fantastic day for everyone with the Cancer Council donating shirts, balloons and banners and everyone celebrating the end of the relay with a barbecue lunch."
While her hair regrows, Doris is sporting a fancy blonde wig - because she thinks blondes just might have more fun.
