Excruciating pain worth it: Women

Monique Low supports Milly Ross as tattooist John Roberts, from Monster Truck Tattoo, inks her head to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation and Cranford Hospice in Hastings. Photo / Paul Taylor

Two Napier women lost their hair and gained a tattoo to raise money for those affected by cancer.

Najalu Massage And Body business partners Monique Low and Milly Ross are proudly sporting a new look after the head shave and inking in Napier on Saturday.

"We had the most magical day ... [The tattoo] was excruciating but it was well worth it," Mrs Ross said.

The winners of a Trade Me auction chose what was inked on their heads. Mrs Lowe has the slogan of Shotgun Supplements, which paid $405, while Mrs Ross got $1100.11 from local businessman Alex Kersjes.

"It was a no-reserve auction and they could select what we had done, within reason. Alex very kindly let me decide what to get, so I chose a swallow to represent love and freedom as well as the the word 'gratitude' to sum up how I feel about all the support we received."

Monster Truck Tattoo artists gave up their time, about an hour on each artwork.

Getting out and about in the sunshine yesterday, Mrs Ross received plenty of positive comments.

"I might have just been cruising around, it's actually very liberating. I love the tattoo, it was a lot of pain so I might keep my hair short for a while," Mrs Ross said.

She came up with the "crazy" idea to help Cranford Hospice in Hastings and the Child Cancer Foundation. "Getting the tattoo was a point of difference, a lot of people shave their heads, we both love tatts and the appearance of them and we were able to drum up an extra $1500 through getting them."

The duo have already raised $500 over their $5000 goal, with more collection buckets yet to be counted.

For those who would still like to make a donation to the cause, a web page will remain open on www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/MoniqueLow for two weeks.