Barnsley youngsters took delight in lopping the locks off their popular K2 assistant principal Tom Edgar this week.

But, it was all for a great cause with the teacher raising funds for a children’s cancer charity.

Following the school’s annual Easter Hat Parade, the pupils – and a professional hairdresser – set about trimming the educator’s luscious tresses.

Mr Edgar’s goal was to raise $1,000 for the Kids with Cancer Foundation’s Wigs4Kids initiative, with the money going towards helping families with associated costs of their respective treatments.

Best of all, the Barnsley Public School community rallied together and amassed more than $1,300.

Students with the biggest donations then had the chance to cut his hair, too.

In the end, 30cm hit the floor.

That will now be sent to the charity to be turned into a bespoke wig for a child who has lost their hair due to cancer treatments. 

Mr Edgar also revealed his motive was personal.

“I first had the idea 10 years ago when my sister donated hers to raise money for breast cancer,” he said.

“I didn’t want my hair to go to waste.

“So, I did some research and, being a primary school teacher, it was a no-brainer to donate it to Wigs4Kids.

“We’re all attached to cancer in some way.

“It’s one of those things we have to deal with in life, so anything I can do to support others is a win for me.”

Mr Edgar told the Newcastle Weekly he felt overwhelmed after the chop but that it was a huge relief. 

Students admitted they were proud of their teacher, too, as the locks began dropping off. 

School parent Felicity Hardy was one of many high donors. 

“We are all very proud of his ability to be a role model for the kids,” she said.

“It’s amazing to support kids who are doing it tougher than us.

 “Helping them get a piece of normality is so special.” 

Her two sons Declan and Lincoln revelled in the opportunity to cut some of Mr Edgar’s hair, the cherry on top to their annual Crazy Hair and Easter Hat Parade.

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