Woodville girls go bald for a good cause

It was a shock for Woodville schoolgirls, Grace Timmins, 12, left, and Annabelle Longuet-Higgions, 13, after their Shave for a Cure at You Hairdressing in Woodville on Saturday. Photo Christine McKay.

Two Woodville friends sacrificed their beautiful heads of hair to raise money for Shave for a Cure, the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand's signature fundraiser last Saturday.

Grace Timmins' grandfather David is battling cancer and the 12-year was determined to do something to show her support.

"It grows back, it's no big deal," she told the Dannevirke News in Woodville on Saturday afternoon.

Half way through their Shave for a Cure, Annabelle Longuet-Higgins, left and Grace Timmins are supported by their friend Maryanne Crompton, while You Hairdressing owners, Kellie McKay and Catherine Hunt begin work with the clippers.

But, for Grace, it's a different story when it comes to the battle her grandfather is facing.

"It's sad when I see my granddad and sometimes I'm scared when I see what he's had to go through."

Grace had persuaded her friend, Annabelle Longuet-Higgins, 13, to say goodbye to her hair as well.

"It's a bit scary," Annabelle said.

Family and friends packed into You Hairdressing on Vogel St in Woodville, with others peering through the windows for a view, as owners Kellie McKay and Catherine Hunt took to the girls hair, first snipping off their pony tails and then shaving the remaining hair away.

You Hairdressing co-owner Catherine Hunt begins cutting the long locks of Grace Timmins in Woodville last Saturday.

"They will start high school next year with very short hair," Annabelle's mum Karin said. "I'm a nurse and so is Grace's mum so it's not a shock for us to see people with no hair but it's sad how many teenagers there are with cancer at Tararua College, one in every year group is going through chemotherapy."

Grace's mother, Sarah, said she was very proud of her daughter.

"I was a little bit stressed when she said she was going to do this, but she was very determined," she said.

Watching on were David Timmins' wife Julie, his two sisters, Dorothy Garrity and Naomi Alloway, both from Greytown, along with Mary Sinclair from Napier, who were all amazed by the very special gesture.

"I think they are so brave, it's incredible," Julie said. "The girls are so young and they have raised a lot of money."

By Saturday afternoon, the two girls had raised more than $500.

It was an emotional time for the girls' families, but Grace kept her quirky banter up throughout.

With their hair gone, front, Annabelle Longuet-Higgins, left and Grace Timmins are supported by family. Back, Grace's grandmother Julie Timmins, whose husband David is battling cancer, Grace's mum Sarah and Karin Longuet-Higgins, Annabelle's mum.

"Annabelle, do you think my dog will recognise me?" she said.

But there will an upside to having no hair, McKay said.

"You can have an extra 20 minutes in bed in the morning," she said.

The two girls took home pamper packs and vouchers from You Hairdressing, so they'll be ready for when their hair begins to grow back.