Celebrities turn out for Shave for a Cure fundraiser

A busy central Auckland street was full of onlookers trying to get glimpses of a Shave for a Cure fundraiser involving New Zealand celebrities today.

Farmers on Queen St hosted the Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand event which saw the original Bachelor New Zealand Art Green, his partner, Matilda Rice, and other celebrities and media personalities shaving the heads of volunteers.

Farmers regional manager Brett van Zyl was the first up, with Mr Green and Miss Rice manning the clippers.

Teenager Greer Doughty cried after her head was shaven but was comforted by the MC of the event, NewsHub host Hilary Barry, who told her she looked "absolutely beautiful".

Filthy Rich actors Alex Tarrant and Emma Fenton, and Shortland Street actors Kerry-Lee Dewing and Reuben Milner also took part in the shaving.

Twenty-one other Farmers stores are hosting Shave for a Cure events throughout early April.

The funds raised will help Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, which receives no Government funding, to support and advocate for patients and families living with blood cancers and blood conditions.

The organisation also provides education programmes, information, raises awareness and funds research into better treatments and potential cures.

Six people in New Zealand are diagnosed with blood cancer every day.