A 12-year-old Timaru pupil is preparing to say goodbye to his mighty mullet after putting it on the chopping block for a good cause.
Harlan Westaway has been growing his luscious locks since 2021 but after adopting a new kitten from Street Cats South Canterbury, he made the decision to raise funds for the organisation by starring in the Great Mullet Mow-Down.
As well as raising money for Street Cats, Harlan is also donating the chopped mullet to Freedom Hair.
He said although he was a bit nervous about the chop, he was happy to be doing it for a good cause.
‘‘I love street cats and I thought it would be a good idea to cut it off after I’ve had it for almost five years. It’s pretty cool to see how many people are helping me out and supporting me.’’
Through his Givealittle page he had already raised more than $1600.
Harlan’s mother Kelly Westaway said she was very proud of her son for coming up with the initiative all on his own.
‘‘The fact that he wants to help two organisations is amazing. His nana, my mother, ended up having to have a wig from cancer treatment. This is the type of person that his hair is going to help, someone who has, whether it’s through illness and treatment or an immune disorder, has lost their hair.
‘‘There’s lots of charities locally that do amazing things but we’re cat lovers, and Harlan chose Street Cats to do this for.
‘‘We’re so incredibly proud of the fact that he’s done this all off his own bat and he’s created everything. For a 12-year-old to come up with this on his own, it’s pretty special.’’
She said they would be running the Givealittle page for another three or four weeks in an effort to raise as much as they could and then they would announce the day of the chop.
Anyone wishing to support Harlan can do so by visiting his page: The Great Mullet Mow-Down – Givealittle
