Close shave that isn’t a rugby score
Looking to raise some money for charity? Issue some professional rugby players with hair clippers.
Lincoln University Future Leaders scholars raised more than $22,000 for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand yesterday.
As part of the scholarship programme, students have to raise funds for a different charity each year.
Organiser Isabelle Hobbs, daughter of the late All Black Jock Hobbs, said this year’s choice was personal for her and her family.
Her father, a former New Zealand Rugby Union chairman, died of leukaemia in March.
She asked her brother, Blues player Michael Hobbs, to bring along some teammates to help with the event, and she also invited some Crusaders players, including All Black captain Richie Mccaw.
‘‘Richie was a close friend of Dad’s, and Dad did a lot for New Zealand rugby so it wasn’t hard to ask them to come along,’’ she said.
The event included games such as gumboot throwing and an obstacle course, and 26 people shaved their heads to raise money.
Mccaw, Michael Hobbs, Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean and Blues and All Black lock Anthony Boric were among the ‘‘hairdressers’’. People volunteered on a website to have their heads shaved on the day.
Hobbs, who organised the event with three other students, was pleased with the turnout. ‘‘There were a lot of laughs, a lot of kids having fun, and personally, I couldn’t have wanted a better day.’’