Lost locks boosts charity

Whangarei Girls' High School head "shavees", and support crew, Katrina Howe, Charlotte Fletcher-Beasley, Tennille Nisbet, Amy Dawber and Taylor Campbell.

Three Whangarei schoolgirls lost their locks to support the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Foundation.

Charlotte Fletcher-Beasley, Tennille Nisbet and Amy Dawber were among at least 80 Northlanders who shaved their heads to raise money for the Shave For a Cure Foundation.

The girls sprang into action after hearing a friend was diagnosed with cancer.

They managed to raise $2500 through donations from local businesses and individual donors.

Organisers Taylor Campbell and Katrina Howe were "passionate" about supporting their friend diagnosed with cancer and held a fundraiser in the WGHS gym where the three girls' heads were to be shaved by hairdresser Nikki Norman. Their highlight of the day was when they "left the hall with a massive jar of coins with over $250 in it".

The Shave for a Cure Foundation has raised more than $830,000 from registered "shavees" this year. The fundraising target to go towards Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand is $2 million.

The girls believe the target will be reached because "it is such a recognised foundation, and people can still donate over the next few weeks".

Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand is the national charity dedicated to supporting patients and their families living with blood cancers.

There are about 10,000 people living with blood cancer or a related condition in New Zealand.

You can donate to the Shave for a Cure on their website at any time at www.shaveforacure.co.nz