It may have taken a while, but for local woman Brooke Cummings now is the time to deliver on long standing promise as well as support her work colleague's son Sam Lawson, who is fighting leukaemia.
Her long blonde locks will be shaved off by 12-year-old Sam next Friday as part of the nationwide Shave for a Cure fundraiser.
Brooke is currently the second highest fundraiser nationally thanks to Hawke's Bay construction company Gemco Group, where she works as Health and Safety Manager, alongside Sam's father Derek who is a Quantity Surveyor.
"I started an auction with the highest bidder getting to shave off my hair and my Gemco workmates were top bidders with $3113 and have handed over the clippers to Sam to do the job."
Brooke decided seven years ago she would shave off her hair in memory of her grandmother who died from cancer.
She hatched a plan to shave it off along with her best friend Rosie Tong, however life events got in her way – including her engagement and wedding in December 2017.
"My nana's cancer battle inspired me to do it, and my best friend Rosie's cousin passed away from Leukaemia so we promised to do it together. Everything was planned, but then I got engaged, so I put my plans on hold. I didn't want to be a bald bride!
It didn't stop Rosie though, she donated her pony tail towards making wigs for those with cancer, and she shaved her hair - raising around $2500 for the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Foundation NZ.
"Now that I'm married, I thought I better deliver on my promise and with Sam getting treatment for leukaemia, the Shave for a Cure was the perfect opportunity.
Every day six children and adults in New Zealand are diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition. Sam was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in May 2015.
Sam is looking forward to shaving bald one of his father's workmates next Friday at the Loading Ramp in Havelock North.
"It's going to be fun. Brooke's got a lot of blonde hair that's going to end up on the floor for an awesome cause.
Brooke, who is also a Havelock North volunteer firefighter, is aiming to raise $5000 and is closing in on the target with $3900 raised so far.
She has got local businesses supporting her with auction items which she has listed on Trademe.
Among those items are a bottle of French Champagne from Advintage, artwork from Edges picture framers, a selection of books from Wardini, hair products from Milton Andrew Hair Design and a fire brazier from Metal Magic.
Brooke is hoping for a big turnout in support on Friday from workmates at Gemco as well as fellow volunteer firefighters.
New Zealand Firefighters also supports Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand with the annual SkyCity stair climb challenge, which is being held in May.
If you would like to support Brooke, you can donate online at www.shaveforacure.co.nz.