Four year 4 students from Ross Hill School got up to have their head shaved for a best mate, student William Marshall, who is battling leukaemia in Brisbane.

Ryan Campbell, Nash Cook, Zoe Harmon and Cayden Holder, all age 9, got the big shave on Wednesday afternoon in front of a whooping and cheering crowd of students.

Between them, the children and the school have raised over $4000 for William’s family.

Zoe alone contributed over $2000 and the money is still coming in.

Their teacher Kel Butler took the stool and their example.

The teacher had the children in fits of laughter when the first two swipes of the clippers left him with cross on the top of his head before he was trimmed to the skin.

It is all about their friend.

Ryan visited Will in Brisbane last weekend and said he was doing well. Will is in remission but will need to stay in hospital for several months.

“He’s my best friend,” Ryan said.

“Will is really nice and he was a real good friend to me and I just miss him,” Nash said.

Cayden had a good reason to help his friend.

“That he’s awesome,” he said.

“I want to do it to help them out a bit, and I like doing things like that,” Zoe added.

The boys were confident going into the shave, but Zoe admitted she was a little nervous.

“’Cause I’m a girl and I have all this beautiful hair,” she said smiling.

They all had loud support as one by one, each child took the chair. Terrace Salon owner Hayley Johns and stylist Ashleigh Parkes carefully looked after the locks that soon were thick on the floor.

Zoe donated her blonde ponytails to make wigs for cancer patients.

Kellie Harmon said she was very proud of her daughter.

”Wasn’t surprised; it’s very much in her nature so we just supported her,” she said.

Mark Harmon was a little less at ease watching his daughter’s haircut.

“She’s my baby!” he said to Hayley when she asked if dad was doing ok.

Nash’s mother Zoe shared the mutual parental pride at her son’s decision.

“I think it’s beautiful what they’re doing. It was his best mate and he just wanted to do anything, I guess, and give him anything to try and help out in any way,” she said.

After the shaves, the children could not help running their hands over their softly stubbled scalps.

“It feels weird,” Nash giggled.

“I feel good for Will that my hair’s gone for Will, and it feels a bit sparkly,” Ryan said as he passed his hand across his head.

The four agreed they were proud and happy to do it for William, but none had been as brave as their friend.

Donations are still very welcome for William’s family and may be left at the Ross Hill School front office.