MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 20: Dyson Heppell of the Bombers looks on during an Essendon Bombers AFL Christmas Open training Session at True Value Solar Centre on December 20, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell is set to shave his dreadlocks to help raise funds for the bushfire crisis around Victoria.

The midfielder was aiming to raise $50,000 by Friday and has already raised over $77,000 in less than 24 hours with help from the club and his teammates.

The highest bidder will do the honours of cutting Heppell's iconic hairdo.

The 27-year old grew up in Leongatha, with all proceeds will go towards the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund and Wildlife Victoria.

“On behalf of everyone at the Essendon Football Club, our thoughts are currently with all those who have been affected by the bushfire crisis. I’d also like to acknowledge the firefighters, volunteers and emergency service workers who are putting their own lives on the line,” Heppell said.

“Being a proud Gippsland boy, I have felt particularly distressed about what is happening to our beautiful land and people’s homes, as well as our wildlife affected in the area.

“While there is still plenty to be done collectively, we all want to help in any way we can – big or small. So, I’m finally going to shave the locks off to try and raise $50k this week.

“The highest donor can come out to The Hangar this Friday, grab the clippers and do the honours. I’m calling on our awesome members and supporters to donate as much or as little as they can.

“To everyone who has been impacted by the fires, please continue to stay safe. We’re all behind you. And to everyone who can donate, please dig deep.”

It comes after Collingwood onballer Dayne Beams announced he is auctioning his 2010 premiership medal to help donate to the bushfire cause.

The current bid for Beams' medal was at $22,500 on Tuesday morning.