Northlanders raise $32k with mass head shave for Bald Angels charity

Generous Northlanders had their heads shaved at the Turner Centre to raise money for a great cause. Photo / Claire Gordon

Dozens of brave Northlanders went under the clippers over the weekend during a mass head shave for charity.

About 40 people lost their locks to support the Bald Angels Charitable Trust on November 22, in the process raising more than $32,000 - and counting.

The Shave 4 Kids Anniversary Challenge event, held at the Turner Centre in Kerikeri, raised funds for the annual Bald Angels kai box campaign to help take the pressure off struggling whānau this Christmas.

It followed the Guinness World Record-breaking shave in 2015, which saw 462 people have their heads shaved in 60 minutes, raising $62,000.

Founder Therese Wickbom said men and women from all walks of life and ages, including local real estate agents, a man who looked like Santa, and a 17-year-old student, had their heads shaved this year.

Bald Angels founder Therese Wickbom and Ngati Rehia’s Marama Pairama, who bravely shaved her hair.

“We didn’t get as many head shavers but we got the same vibe.

“The emotion and wairua in the room was the same as the 2015 head shave, so it was really special.

“They all think this is a worthy cause, they want to help less privileged children.

“We’re very lucky to have such an amazing community.”

Those who took part included Forest and Bird’s Northland conservation advocate Dean Baigent-Mercer who parted with his dreadlocks of 20-odd years.

Dean Baigent-Mercer was prepared to part ways with his trademark dreadlocks he’d had for 20 years.

Baigent-Mercer, who’s had long hair for even longer, about 36 years, said his head now “feels like a kiwifruit”.

“It happened so quickly; I was pre-emptively mourning them then suddenly it’s all over and you’re out the other side.”

Baigent-Mercer has raised more than $4100 for his part in the fundraiser, with donations coming from as far as the Netherlands and Japan because of his previous work on Greenpeace ships.

“It’s totally exceeded my expectations and fills my heart with joy that money is going to help some of the most disadvantaged kids in the north,” he said.

Dean Baigent-Mercer raised over $4100 for his part in the Bald Angels head shave fundraiser.

Wickbom said her “angel volunteers” were incredible, and all the hair went to great use.

The hair dressing team was led by Sharon Sanderson from Northland Hair and included 10 hairdressers from around the district.

Fiona from Exhibit Hair organised for the hair to be recycled via Sustainable Salons to make booms for cleaning up oil spills, and some donated their hair for wigs.

Wickbom thanked everyone who took part.

“The biggest shout out goes to the shavees who were brave enough and kind enough to lose their hair for the benefit of vulnerable tamariki.

“It’s always a worry; are they going to wake up in the morning and think ‘what have they done?’.

“But the feedback has all been positive; they’ve all been happy about it.”

The kai boxes will be filled with meat, fresh vegetables and groceries and packed on December 9 and 10.

Then the Bald Angels’ partners – including police, Plunket, Women’s Refuge, iwi organisations, and health and education providers – will collect the boxes and distribute them to families in need.

Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.