Lovely locks lopped to raise $1500 for charity

Hair today, gone tomorrow - that will be the outcome for Susan Coates when she shaves her head next Saturday in support of the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation's Shave For A Cure 2010 campaign.
The 30-year-old's long auburn locks will be shaved to a number two length - about 5mm  long.
"I will probably freak out and I think I'll need a few drinks to calm my nerves before we do it but I'm quite excited because it's such a good cause," Miss Coates said.
After completing an early childhood degree, Miss Coates spent the past few years working in Auckland.
Being around young children all day, Miss Coates realised how important it was to support the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation because she could not bear to see young children going through cancer.
"I hate the thought of the little ones getting a terminal illness.
"The organisation is not Government-funded and if I can help children by doing this, I will," she said.
Shaving her head was not an impulse decision for Miss Coates.
She first thought about doing the deed last year, in the 2009 campaign.
However, her father's 70th birthday and her sister's wedding prompted Miss Coates to postpone the head shave for a year.
As her date with the shaver loomed closer, Miss Coates said she was not too worried about losing her locks.
"It's just hair. I really do love my hair but it will grow back," she said.

 Her friend Nicola Fitzsimmons works at the CHS hair salon in Mount Maunganui and will be shaving Miss Coates' head next weekend.
Miss Coates said her friend was more nervous about the whole experience than she was. "She's absolutely freaking out about it but I told her that if I was going to shave my head then she was going to be the one to do it."

 Miss Coates had several job interviews this week, and told the Bay of Plenty Times she would be telling her potential employers of her  coming head shave.
"I can't see it as any problem, especially since it's for a good cause.
"I have a lot of head scarves, hats and accessories so I can always cover up," she said.

Miss Coates has currently raised about $700 but is wanting to reach $1500.
 She will be having her head shaved at CHS hair salon in Mount Maunganui at 4pm on Saturday, April 24.
Anyone wanting to sponsor Miss Coates should visit the website www.shaveforacure.co.nz.