Haydn Sadgrove, 12, practises on big sister Ashleigh, 14, ahead of the Bald Angels' big shave on Friday. Both siblings and mum Jo will shave their heads for the cause. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Haydn Sadgrove, 12, practises on big sister Ashleigh, 14, ahead of the Bald Angels' big shave on Friday. Both siblings and mum Jo will shave their heads for the cause. Photo / Peter de Graaf
A Northland children's charity is urging people to put their hair on the line for a world record fundraising attempt this Friday.
The Bald Angels Trust - which raised $45,000 when 62 people sacrificed their locks three years ago - is now aiming to break the record set in the US three years ago when 371 heads were shaved in an hour.
As well as enlisting 400 shavees, the charity hopes to raise $100,000 for needy children across Northland.
Among those preparing to go bald is 14-year-old Ashleigh Sadgrove of Waimate North, who is envied for her long blonde tresses.
Her hair will be donated to a charity called Freedom Wigs for people who have lost their hair through cancer or other illnesses.
Ashleigh said she had no fears about going bald. She had been through tough times herself and wanted to show other young people in similar situations that she cared about them.
"Besides, beauty is within. You don't need hair to be beautiful."
The teen will be trying to enlist shavees in Kerikeri tomorrow, accompanied by a crew from the TV show Seven Sharp.
Others lining up to go bald include Ashleigh's brother Hayden, 12, her mum Jo, Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis, former Rugby Sevens star Eric Rush and the entire staff of Kerimed Doctors. As of Friday, more than 200 people had registered.
The big shave will take place at the Turner Centre in Kerikeri on the eve of the Kerikeri Half Marathon.
Ashleigh Sadgrove, 14, is about to sacrifice her tresses for a Bald Angels fundraiser. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF
Money raised in the 2012 event was spent on children in the care of Hospice Mid-Northland and their families. Among other things, it paid for trips, accommodation, portraits, hospitality and fun park passes to create happy memories before sick family members died.
Bald Angels founder Therese Wickbom said this year's event had a broader aim of providing relief to Northland children who were disadvantaged by poverty, abuse, loss or tragedy.
"New Zealand isn't a needy nation, and yet hundreds of children in our own Northland communities are hungry, underclothed, living in substandard conditions and in need of medical attention. They need help."
-Would-be shavees need to register at www.baldangels.org.nz or use forms available at Cafe Cinema on Hobson Ave, Kerikeri; DD Gold on Commerce St, Kaitaia; Creative Glass on Broadway, Kaikohe; or Countdown on Puketona Rd, Paihia. You can also register on the day at the Turner Centre from 2pm to 5.30pm at the latest. The doors will open to the public at 6pm.
