Greytown boy shaves for Poppa

Neil Smith is staggered by the amount of money his grandson's fundraiser has made.

Ceejay Dennes, 10, started his 'Mop Chop for Poppa' fundraiser in support of his grandad who was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

He leapt past his goal of $250 and as of 4pm Friday had made $5000 for the Cancer Society Wairarapa.

"It's pretty cool," he said.

In a speech he wrote, read out by his mother Deb Dennes to the crowd of around 100 people at the club, he said: "I have dominated that goal."

Ceejay's brother Koby, 6, aunt Vicky Smith-Butters and family friend Hennie Oosthuysen also had their hair shaved off at the South Wairarapa Workingmen's Club on Friday afternoon.

Overwhelmed and teary-eyed, Mr Smith said he was proud of his family and amazed at the amount of money raised.

He has a very close relationship with Ceejay and they "do everything together, we do fish and chips together".

The 'mop chop' was held on Mr Smith's last day of treatment, which he was pleased was over: "The kids have been really good."

His wife Ann said the event was very emotional for her and Neil.

He had been through six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy at Wellington Hospital.

"It's been hard going."

Mrs Dennes said the family was pleased to have their dad back.

"The only time that we have been apart is when we are overseas.

"We see him most days so it was quite unusual for him to be away for so long."

Ceejay was excited about getting his hair chopped off and once it was over, looking into a mirror, he had a big grin on his face.

Ceejay said he was surprised to make so much money from the 'mop chop'.

Mrs Smith-Butters said she put a money box at her work and when she opened it on Friday, there was $750 inside.

She said she felt "lighter" after the haircut.

However the fundraising didn't stop after the haircuts.

At the event, people spontaneously donated items which Mrs Dennes announced would go into a raffle.

Donations were still flooding in during the event.

Koby, 6, got a 'Mr T' mohawk and Ceejay got a number one.

Hennie Oosthuysen decided to join in on the day and get his hair shaved off with the family.

He said it was amazing what a 10-year-old boy could do.

"He's a brave man."

Ceejay and Koby's dad, Mike Dennes said what his kids were doing was great.

"I didn't expect it to get where it did."

Tickets for the raffle are available R and B Motors, Greytown.