Vet surpasses fundraising goal

Alanda Rafferty, from VetEnt vet clinic in Havelock North, shaved her head for the Leukaemia & Blood Cancer Foundation.

A Havelock North vet is sporting a new hairdo after shaving her head with animal clippers for the Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand charity.

VetEnt Havelock North veterinarian Dr Alanda Rafferty took up the shaving challenge after feeling she needed to "give back" to her community and has accomplished this by raising well over her fundraising goal of $1000.

"I felt I needed to do something and now I've made a reasonable donation I feel really good," she said.

When the surgical-grade animal clippers were put to Mrs Rafferty's head on Wednesday she had already raised more that $1500 and yesterday she said there were still more donations to count.

"So far I have received about $370 in cash and $1220 donations direct on to my fundraising site.

"I've raised well over $1000 and I think we're going to keep the collection boxes out for another week or so before we do the final tally."

Her two children and husband were at the vet clinic to watch the shave and Mrs Rafferty laughed as she recounted her son telling her the new hairdo was "hideous".

"I think he's the one who will take the longest to adjust.

"I still haven't got quite used to it. I keep putting my hands up to scratch my head or I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror."

Now with hair shorter than her husband's, Mrs Rafferty said she's had to pull out a few beanies from the back of her wardrobe and expects things will feel a bit "draftier" than normal when she goes on a Tutira school camp in a month.

"I think my hair is just shorter than my husband's, but I'm lacking the bald spot," she laughed.

Mrs Rafferty said she was thankful for all the support she had received during her campaign, and made special mention of the "very supportive" donation of $350 that she received from her company VetEnt in Havelock North.

Those still wishing to donate can still do so by visiting https://secure.leukaemia.net.nz/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=1060486&langPref=en-CA.