Fundraised target locks in head shave vow

Michelle Hunt kept her word but lost her hair on Monday after honouring a Relay for Life promise.

The Cancer Society Nelson Tasman manager promised she would shave her locks if this year’s Relay for Life raised more than $200,000. This was the equivalent from its inaugural event in 2004, which was $202,000.

As of Monday, more than $208,000 has been raised, with donations still open until the end of April.

Michelle says 14 people had braved the clippers and scissors at Relay for Life, which took place at Richmond A&P Showgrounds between 16 and 17 March, to boost their fundraising efforts.

“Like those other 14 brave souls who shaved their hair at [Relay for Life] to support those with cancer in our community, I too will join you… it’s not just about the hair, it’s about solidarity of standing by those affected by cancer in our community,” she says.

“I’ve seen firsthand, the resilience and the strength of many people out there in our community that have to lose their hair due to treatment…I had a client two weeks ago, a young mother, and [a head shave] was a big deal for her.

“She had beautiful long hair but with her treatment it was falling out and it was patchy, so she decided to own it, and have it shaved off… there are people like that everyday who have to go through that.”

Michelle says that before Monday’s head shave, which was conducted by Atawhai hairdresser Dee Barr, she had also braved the clippers in 2020 for Cancer Society’s Brave the Shave fundraiser during the Covid-19 lockdown.

She says she planned to own her new hairstyle until it grows back to its former glory in two months’ time.

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