TIA Dedman celebrated last week’s Trinity College Gawler River year 10 graduation rather unconventionally, inviting some friends over to help shave her head – for a good cause.

Tia said she first started entertaining the idea around 12 months ago, and only grew more excited.

“I was in hospital over New Year’s last year and there was a girl in there who had her head shaved, and I thought it looked really good,” she said.

“Since then it’s been a recurring thought about why I could do it, what I could raise money for, who it could benefit – it just seemed like a pretty cool thing to do.”

Tia – who had been growing her hair since she was six years old – donated her locks to Variety SA to be used in wigs for children battling conditions which result in hair loss.

As well as donating her hair, she also chose to raise money for Cancer Council, and quickly raced past her target.

“My grandma passed away from cancer in 2017, which was a long battle and, being close with her, it was pretty hard to go through,” she said.

“Then in the past 12 months both mum and dad have both had their own cancer scares, so it’s obviously something very close to my heart, and it’s something that a lot of people end up experiencing – whether it’s themselves or loved ones.

“My original goal was $1000, and we smashed that in just over a week – I was absolutely blown away.”

As of this past weekend, more than $4000 has been donated to Tia’s fundraiser, and if anyone would like to contribute further, head to (www.doitforcancer.com.au/fundraisers/tiadedman).