Feilding High School smashes fundraising record
With weeks to spare, a Feilding high school has broken its record for an annual cancer research fundraiser.
Last year Feilding High School raised almost $10,000 for Shave Fora Cure. But on Wednesday it ticked over $20,000 before hair hit the floor, with more donations to be counted.
Feilding High School student Emily Ridd, 17, participated in 2019 and this year she was the organiser.
In front of a packed auditorium of students, staff and caregivers, 16 people shaved their full head of hair, while five girls had their ponytails cut off.
Emily said most people were affected by cancer one way or another.
‘‘Any contribution made will make a huge difference for others. Whether you’re getting your hair cut, donating money, or volunteering for the cause.’’
Long hair would be donated to two New Zealand charities – Freedom Hair and Hair Collect – to bemade into wigs.
Several students exceeded their fundraising goal, with some raising more than double than what they expected.
Mirryn Mccready, 15, hoped to raise $1000 for cancer research. She raised $2525.
‘‘I was scared, but it was worth it,’’ she said. ‘‘I shaved for my granddad. He lost his fight to cancer in 2016.’’
Charlee Wood, 15, shaved her hair in honour of hermum, who died from a brain tumour in 2019.
She raised $4266, and said she was blown away by the amount.
‘‘I went to ballet with $2000 raised and when I finished, it was at $3000.’’
Charlee said hermumwas the bravest person she’d known, and when the opportunity to shave her head came up, ‘‘I thought I’d be brave too’’.
This year marked year 13 student Jensen Alcock’s fifth year shaving his head. Not content with a just a haircut, he had also planned a 24-hour run with the school’s head of languages, David Byrne.
The run was to take place this morning on school grounds.
Principals had separate collection boxes at the auditorium entrance and were competing to raise the most money.
Assistant principal Malcolm Jury won with his collection of $561 and collectively they raised $1420.