With his dark blond hair drifting to the floor around him, 11-year-old Sunbury resident Charlie Butler watches his appearance change in the hairdressers mirror.
The decision to shave off his beloved mullet fall was an easy one for Charlie after his father took his own life in March 2023.
He said he wanted to shave his mullet to inspire anyone struggling with their mental health, while raising money for the Black Dog Institute.
Through 100 generous donations, Charlie raised $4,535.96 and climbed to 22nd on the Mullets for Mental Health fundraisers leaderboard.
His mother Katherine Butler said 159 people with suicidal thoughts can now receive help from this money raised.
“He was really nervous… It brought back a lot of memories because the last time he had his head shaved like that was when his dad did it when he was four years old,” Katherine said.
“He looks so different… but he’s keen to get his mullet back. He’s going to grow it back and his other brother is growing one as well.”
Katherine said when he decided to make the chop they didn’t even think they would raise $250 dollars, but they had two individual donations of more than $500.
“His dad would have been so proud. [The money raised can help] 159 people, that’s pretty goddamn good.
“It needs to be spoken about more, a lot of people don’t speak about men’s mental health.”
Black Dog Institute said the money raised will help drive real change and fund ground-breaking mental health research.
If you need support you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Details: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/contact-us/
Zoe Moffatt
