Hair today...

Kaitaia (Mission Place) kindergarten teacher Gaylene West is about to lose the excuse that she will be washing her hair to avoid an unwelcome invitation. As of 9.30am tomorrow week (March 19) she won't have much left to wash, having donated her long locks to Wigs for Cancer Patients, and as part of a fundraiser for a little boy who is in real need of friends.

Five-year-old Austin Marron, who has left kindergarten for Kaitaia Primary School, has been diagnosed with leukaemia, and is undergoing treatment at Auckland's Starship Hospital.

Gaylene's 8-year-old daughter Maraea Latimer, and Year 11 Kaitaia College student Rosie Walters-Price, will also have their hair cut, while the other Mission Place staff (Nanook Kinnear, Shirley Hart and Sonia Brownlie) won't be going quite that far, but will be dying their hair pink in support.

Anyone who would like to add their name to the list of sponsors is urged to phone the kindergarten on (09) 408-2444, while Austin's parents have set up a Facebook page (Austins Army) with a link to his Give a Little page for donations.