The eight-year-old Warrnambool boy has been growing a “rat tail” down the back of his head for the past six months. He will shave it off on Good Friday, much to the relief of some family and friends, as a fund-raiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

But it was fashion not fund-raising that Toby had in mind when he first began to grow the tail.

“I saw my cousin growing one and thought I might like to grow one too,” Toby said.

However, having spent some time in the RCH for a hernia operation as a six-week-old, and having seen his younger sister Meeka treated there for burns, the idea of a fund-raiser easily came to mind.

“My goal is to raise $300. At the moment I’ve got $230,” Toby said. The Our Lady Help of Christians pupil said his new ’do had received mixed reactions.

“Teachers and some family members don’t like it. One teacher said that she wanted to cut it off.”

Mum Tammie, however, said the rat tail didn’t bother her: “Their hair is their domain. I don’t mind what they do. I like them to be individuals.”

Toby will lose his locks at 11am on Good Friday at his aunt Nicole Clark’s Morriss Road Hair Design.

To donate, visit http://www.gofundme.com/choptherat