Cops’ locks clipped off for cancer
Taranaki’s top cop has gone bald but it’s not due to the stress of the job.
Inspector Keith Borrell was one of 45 staff from the region who had their heads shaved last week to raise money for CanTeen.
The group raised more than $16,250 for the child cancer charity and Borrell said getting the buzz cut was well worth it.
‘‘I think it was important for all of the staff in Taranaki because I think all of us have been touched by cancer at some stage in our lives either family members, friends or colleagues.
‘‘We lost a colleague ourselves to cancer, Constable Lee Rose, at the beginning of the year which made it more poignant for the staff here and I think that’s why you saw such a great effort.’’
Borrell said he was happy with his new look but would have to be careful as the weather warms up.
‘‘It’s a bit cooler at night than it was but I’m sure it will grow back. I will just have to watch out for sunburn.
Organiser Senior Sergeant Robbie O’Keefe said in the beginning they had a target of around $4000 or $100 each but some staff had raised more than $1000.
‘‘To exceed that is just absolutely phenomenal,’’ O’Keefe said.
O’Keefe said he believed Rose would be proud of the way staff supported the event and his son Sam had even taken part - having his head shaved alongside his father’s former colleagues.
‘‘I’m sure he is looking down on us now with a big smile on his face.’’
Alex Nash, CanTeen youth support coordinator, said the donation had met her fundraising target for 2017 which would now allow her to concentrate on working with youth living with cancer.
‘‘It absolutely blew my mind actually,’’ Nash said.
The teenagers dealing with cancer really appreciated what the police had done to raise money for them, she said.
‘‘I think that they are just amazed by the support that is out there for them.’’