Off with their hair – for a good cause

23 Sep 2022

Year 13 and Head of Service Spencer Smith was more excited than nervous before losing his locks in the interests of Shave for a Cure supporting Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ.

“This is a first for me, and I can’t think of a better cause,” he said prior to the Ara Institute of Canterbury barber shaving off the lot.

“My parents want me to get it cut, but I’m going to have to get used to not shifting hair out of my eyes. Most of us are like that. I’m sure my head’s going to feel different too, and sky diving for prostate cancer on Sunday, with the wind flying past, is going to be very cool.”

With $21,660 already pledged by donors to the 20 boys participating, many of them having a personal connection with the cause through family members who have struggled with cancer, the outcome was phenomenal, he said.

“I sent it out on my Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat accounts and invited people to give –and the response has been amazing. I’m ecstatic!”

Spencer is playing in the U19 football nationals at Labour Weekend, and says the boys have all been very supportive of Shave for a Cure.

The Assembly Hall was buzzing on Thursday 22 September 2022 as the students lined up to have their heads shaved. With students and family members watching and cheering them on, many of those less brave went through with their goal and emerged more streamlined versions of themselves.

“Before the shave a few boys said they were nervous but I did not hear a bad word from anyone afterwards. Moving throughout the school for the last two periods of the day, everyone was so encouraging and seemed proud of what the boys and community had achieved.”

View the Christ's College Shave for a Cure team page here