At first his point blank refusal to trim his facial hair was for his own satisfaction. But when his girlfriend Brydie dared Robert to forgo a shave or haircut until the day of the ‘World’s Greatest Shave’, the beard growing ritual became a long term mission.

Today, Robert is man whose beard dangles to his chest and whose head hair almost completely covers his neck. Tomorrow, his ears will feel naked, his neck cold and his face no longer prickly.

Robert will be among thousands around Australia losing their locks or dying their hair to raise awareness for leukaemia and money for the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia.

Between 10am and 2pm tomorrow, McDonald’s Yass will be honouring the World’s Greatest Shave with a concoction of hair dying, trimming and money collecting.

Robert will be in the hot seat at midday.

So far he has raised $450 for the Foundation. And on Wednesday, he vowed to have his chest publicly waxed if someone can help lift his personal fundraising tally to above $1000.

“A lot of people I know have been telling me to shave it off. We’ll, now it’s coming off and for a good cause,” he said.