Gerringong hairdresser Katie Russell has raised an amazing $6600 by shaving her head for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

The decision to raise money and awareness of the illness came after hearing that her friend and workmate Laura was diagnosed with MS.

“My target was $5000 and I thought I was reaching high with that,” says Katie.

“I really want to thank everybody for helping me with it and the generosity is overwhelming,

“I am teary every time I think about how much I raised.”

Laura was chosen to personally shave Katie’s hair at their workplace, South Coast Hair in Gerringong, making it a special moment for both of them.

“I want to make people aware of MS,” says Katie.

“Laura goes through stuff every day and she doesn’t whinge and complain.

“She just does it and she’s not alone either.

“There’s so many people out there with MS and there’s not much of a light at the end of the tunnel yet.”

Katie and Laura after the shave

She considers the awareness message from the shave equally important as the money raised.

“I also wanted to do the hair shave because people forget what others go through and this is going to remind people for a couple of years.

“They will see me and realise who and what it was for.”