Waihi students cut it close for cancer cause

Kyla Walker gets ready for the ponytail chop of her long mane just before Waihi College's Shave for a Cure event. Wielding the scissors is fellow participant Dylan Purvis. Photo / Rebecca Mauger

Waihi College has raised a hair-raising nearly $10,000 at last week's Shave for a Cure.

Shave for a Cure is the college's fun annual fundraising event to raise money for the Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.

Nearly 20 participants opted for either a chilly full head shave or sacrificed their flowing locks in the ponytail cut.

Dylan Purvis had taken cancer fundraising to new levels by shaving his eyebrows as well.

''But it kind of ruined the look of my costume for Spirit Day,'' he said of the following dress-up/fun day to honour a passed teacher. ''I was supposed to be a Jedi but everyone thought I was a monk because I was bald.''

But Dylan was happy to jump in the barber's chair once again last week where he said goodbye to a few years worth of curly hair growth.

Joining him was head girl Kyla Walker who sacrificed a long mane of hair she has been growing for years.

She had her ponytail chopped to be donated and made into a wig for Freedom Hair. Kyla wanted to show her support for family who have been affected by cancer — Kyla's mother and aunt have both had cancer (both are in remission) and Kyla recently lost her grandmother to cancer.

Student Christina Fransham, who originally was going to have a pony chop, decided to up her game and shaved her head as she raised $1500. She raised that within a week of fundraising.

''My hair will grow back before you know it and I'm just happy to know that all the money I have raised will help many people and show massive support and aroha for my family and friends I know who are going through this journey.''

Year 13 students organised the night which included entertainment, hosts, spot prizes and a sausage sizzle. The school just about doubled their fundraising aim of $5000.

Kyla Walker, Christina Fransham, Alex Hickson, Dylan Purvis, Tyler Sammons, Sebana McKee, Joel Ellender, Louie van der Zwan, Campbell Jones, Nathan Carstens, Liam Taylor, Matthew van der Walt and James Devery all braved the razor or scissors and did the chop in honour of Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. Others put their hand on the night — encouraged by audience members topping up the donation bucket — Zinzan Coop, Rhys Wiki, Blake Haycock, Lucas Marshall and ex-student Jayden Purcell.

Principal Alistair Cochrane and mayor Toby Adams also underwent a good pruning, keeping true to their promise if the school topped its target.

For more Shave for a Cure photos see page 15. Photos by Wendy Shave