Annual Hawthorn House Christmas Fair offers 36 stalls and a charity head shave in its day of fundraising fun

The annual Hawthorn House Christmas Fair takes place on Saturday, and joining the usual attractions of craft and cake stalls will be a fundraising head shave by couple Mark and Janice Ford.

The pair have decided to lop their locks to raise money for Hawthorn House, where Mark is a client.

The fair will boast about 36 stalls selling everything from home produce to woodworking items crafted by the Albany Men’s Shed and organisers are hoping to trump the $7000 raised in previous years.

Care co-ordinator Melissa Andreini said all the cash raised will stay at Hawthorn House and be used to provide art and craft materials and some furniture upgrades.

“All our clients are invited, and they love coming with their families but it’s also a community event,” she said.

“It’s a chance to open up the house so people can see what we do and what the grounds look like.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t even know that we are here.”

Mr and Mrs Ford have a GoFundMe target of $1300 and are already well on the way to hitting it.

Mrs Ford said she wanted to raise money for Hawthorn House because of the help and support it provides to clients and their families who are living with dementia.

“Hawthorn House is such a fantastic place which provides enriching and engaging programs in a warm and welcoming environment,” she said.

“Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, and it is something which can affect practically anyone in the community.”

The shave is also being done in memory of long-time Hawthorn House volunteer Lyn Baimbridge, whom Mrs Ford said provided support to the family when they most needed it.

Lyn’s daughter Lorraine, who also volunteers at Hawthorn House, will do the shave, helped by Kore Ford.

Music at the fair will be provided by the Bayside Community Brass Band and there will be raffles as well as items for sale which have been painted or crafted by Hawthorn House clients.

Entry to the fair, which will run from 10am-2pm is by gold coin donation.

The Fords’ head shave will take place at 11am.

Hawthorn House is a world-class day centre built to support people in the Great Southern living with dementia.