TravelManagers’ Georgia Thomas Plans a Charity Chop
TravelManagers’ Georgia Thomas is set to complete a four-year journey of growth when she arrives in Bali to attend TravelManagers’ annual National Conference in Bali next week. Having grown her hair to waist length over the past four years, she will take to the stage for a very public haircut, lopping off around 60 centimetres for Variety Foundation’s ‘Hair with Heart’: a charity initiative that supports children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions.
Thomas, who is an Operations Executive at TravelManagers’ National Partnership Office (NPO) in Sydney, is aiming to have raised at least $5,000 in sponsorship when the first snip is made on stage. The funds will support Variety’s Hair with Heart wig grant, which allows children to be fitted for a specialised custom-made real hair, suction wig: an initiative that Thomas is happy to assist with the donation of her own freshly cropped locks.
“I was a swim teacher for six years before entering the travel industry, and during that time I saw how charities like Variety support Aussie kids who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability,” Thomas explains. “I’ve already donated my hair to them once before in 2018, but this time I wanted to do more by raising money for them too. It’s important to me because I have seen how kids can really benefit from that boost to their confidence and self-esteem.”
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- Grant Campbell volunteered to let members of the NPO team style his hair.
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- NPO Crazy Hair Day: Both Leearne and Tania getting into the spirit, with Tania winning the craziest hairstyle, and will join Georgia Thomas, scissors sharpened, on stage in Bali.
Thomas explains that the idea of cutting her hair at TravelManagers’ conference came to her at the beginning of 2025 when she realised that the September event would coincide with Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
“TravelManagers has supported me by sharing my fundraiser with our network of personal travel managers (PTMs) and our partner suppliers. I am also scheduled to speak at conference, and I’m looking forward to sharing my journey with the people who have been so generous in their support.”
Thomas says she increased her fundraising target from $2,500 to $5,000 shortly after her campaign officially began on 8th August, and she notes that support has not been limited to financial contributions. A ‘crazy hair day’ event saw her NPO colleagues getting creative with coloured hairspray and props; the person with the craziest hairstyle (as judged by Thomas, won by Marketing Manager Tania Myles) won the right to wield the scissors in Bali.
“I’ve also promised first cutting rights to the person who donates the most money towards this wonderful cause, and I’ve had amazing support from across the PTM network.”
Having spent four years growing her hair, Thomas says she is feeling only a little sad to see it go.
“I’m looking forward to having a bit of fun with my hair now that I don’t have to worry about keeping it in pristine condition for donation,” Thomas grins. “I’m planning to take lots of photos of me with my hair, celebrate with everyone at Conference, and then I will dye my remaining hair light pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.”
Donations to Georgia Thomas’ fundraising campaign can be made here.
