A WOOLLY mammoth with a passion for helping others whenever and wherever needed has raked in half of a cancer group's annual budget in one steely effort to bring about change.
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Hay man Garry May raised about $30,000 for Can Assist Hay last week by shaving the hair off his entire head - hair, beard and eyebrows.
"There hasn't been a family that hasn't been affected by cancer.
The money raised is a major windfall for the grassroots charity, which has an operating budget of $60,000.
Mr May sees his donation to the branch as a community-backed project - a community that has been deeply affected by a disease often characterised as unjust.
"I'm just the bloke who shaved his head. I create the interest; they are the ones that have put their hands in their pockets. Hay is a very generous community," he said.
"There hasn't been a family that hasn't been affected by cancer."
Mr May collected donations through fund-raising events such as barbecues, bowling days and memorabilia auctions.
It is the third time the self-employed chippie has bared his flesh for charity. This time, amid the icy winter, an extra layer of insulation could have helped bring warmth and comfort.
Across those three years, 2006, 2011 and now 2014, Mr May has raised a combined total of $67,000 and counting.
As the years go by, he remains confident mankind and the powers of science can develop a cure for cancer.
Can Assist Hay treasurer Kym Wooding said the branch was "astounded" with Mr May's fund-raising efforts.
"I don't know how he does it. He's definitely an inspiration," she said.
"We can't believe how he has been able to gather money like the way he has done."
Ms Wooding said the donations stay in Hay and go directly to help cancer patients to help with major expenses.
