'They'd be proud'

FOR MUM AND DAD: Georgia Sutherland, 11, is shaving her head to raise money for a cure for cancer. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO WCSMGEORGIA1

Georgia Sutherland has more reason than most to hope for a cure for cancer.

Georgia, 11, is having her long, blonde hair completely shaved this weekend in an effort to raise $5000 for Shave For A Cure.

"When I was six my mum had brain cancer and lost her hair, and then she passed away.

"Then when I was 10 my dad got sick with lots of different types of cancer and pneumonia, and he lost his hair. And then he passed away too."

Her mum, Tracey, died in 2009 and her dad, Grant, died in 2013. Georgia now lives with her stepmum, Desiree.

Georgia was watching television with her aunty, Missy Spence, when she saw an item about people shaving their head to raise money for cancer.

"I said to her, why don't we do that?"

Georgia and Missy will have their heads shaved at Video Ezy on Saturday.

Georgia said all her friends and her teachers at Wanganui Intermediate School were very supportive of what she was doing, and some of her friends would be there to watch her lose her hair. She told the Wanganui Chronicle the shortest she'd ever had her hair was shoulder-length.

"I'm feeling excited and nervous about it. At least I won't have to brush my hair and look after it - it will be one less thing for me to worry about."

And what does Georgia reckon her parents would think of her fundraising efforts? "I honestly think they'd be proud of me."

Georgia's hair will be donated to an organisation that makes wigs for people who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

- The public is welcome to come to Video Ezy, in Victoria Ave, at 1pm on Saturday to see Georgia Sutherland and Missy Spence have their heads shaved. Donations will be taken on the day. Or go to www.shaveforacure.org.nz and search for "missy" to make a donation.