Ben Gower's trademark smile is known to many in Launceston, and when he stood from the hairdresser's chair after getting his head shaved, it was impossible to hide his delight at his bald new look.
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Family and friends gathered at My Clyde's for the conclusion of Ben's Shave to Raise fundraiser on Monday morning when his brown hair was shaved away.
Ben, who lives with inherited intellectual disability Fragile X Syndrome, had managed to raise $5400 in just a month for the Fragile X Association of Australia with almost 100 individual donations.
Mum Jo Ryan said it was exciting to be able to find a new way to raise money for the not-for-profit association, with Ben looking forward to his head shave for weeks.
"We normally have a high tea, something like that, but this year with COVID and everything we thought we would do the head shave," she said.
"He's done really, really well and he's been very, very excited.
"The Fragile X Association does some really good stuff for people when they're diagnosed and their families."
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Ben and his family have become advocates for Australians living with Fragile X, raising awareness each year.
Support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme allowed him to enter the workforce with Coles, and given him the opportunity to pursue a range of hobbies and interests.
"He's going great at Coles, he delivers Meals on Wheels for Red Cross, he plays golf at Mowbray where he's an honourary member, he goes to the gym, pool, he loves to give back to the community too," Ms Ryan said.
