Whanganui Intermediate School pupils chop their locks for leukaemia

The end result, Charli Wood and Emma Collins post-haircut. Photo/Supplied

There were clippers, hair and tears at a Whanganui Intermediate School assembly last week.

Students Charli Wood and Emma Collins joined forces to take part in Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand's signature fundraising event, Shave for a Cure.

Supportive students watched on as proud parents shaved their daughters' heads and their teacher Brylee Kemp said things got emotional.

"Charli was crying, I don't think it was because she was upset, it was more because it was such a big thing that they were doing," Kemp said.

"Everyone was so proud of them."

Together, Emma and Charli raised $2414 through their Shave for a Cure page and by going to events looking for donations.

Whanganui Intermediate School also put on a mufti day that raised a further $562.

Kemp said that her students were wise beyond their years.

"In their speeches they said that a lot of their family members had passed away from cancer or were fighting it.

"They said that if they could save someone else from the pain that they've felt, then this was a good cause."

Friends and family gave short speeches about the girls' efforts before cutting off their ponytails and handing the clippers over to their mums to finish the job.

"This is actually my first year teaching and to have something like this happen in the first term was just amazing," Kemp said.

"I look up to them for being so brave."

Charli Wood and Emma Collins before the big chop. Photo/Supplied