Devoy in close shave for cancer cause

Susan Devoy. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

It may have been a bit colder up top but Dame Susan Devoy felt relaxed after having her hair shaved off to support children with cancer.

Dame Susan, a trustee with Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust, and Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns went first at the Child Cancer Foundation's funrazor held on the grass verge at the Mount Main Beach on Saturday.

They were followed by 46 other "shavees" and together they raised more than $80,000 for the foundation. The money will go towards helping affected families in the Tauranga district.

The foundation supports children with cancer and their families from the time of diagnosis, during the treatments and moving back into the community - a harrowing journey that can last at least three years.

Dame Susan raised more than $11,000 and Mr Cairns $53,000.

Dame Susan's new look had the full support of her husband, John Oakley. "I'm pleasantly surprised. She has no regrets at all and she found it a very worthy cause.

"We went to dinner, afterwards, with a handful of friends and neighbours who complimented Susan on her achievement and looks. She sat there, quite unashamedly, without wearing a hat. It's very low maintenance ... no more costly shampoos and blow drying," said Mr Oakley.

Delwynne Hahunga, local fundraising and business development manager for the Child Cancer Foundation, said proceeds from the funrazor far exceeded the target of $50,000.

An average of three children a week in New Zealand are diagnosed with cancer and each year these children collectively undergo 100,000 treatments.