Shave for a Cure

By Luke Geddes | Posted: Wednesday April 14, 2021

Last Thursday, a brave group of over 30 senior and junior students participated in a special “Shave for a Cure” event in the Open-Air Auditorium to raise funds for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

Over the past month, boys have been actively seeking sponsorship to shave their heads for this fantastic organisation. Led by the prefect team, the student-led fundraising effort has raised over $21,000 for the charity.

There were numerous highlights from the event and it was fantastic to see so many teachers and boys engaging in the “Shave Off”. Top fundraiser Brayden Foote’s hair was the first to go, followed by Boudewijn Keenan, Vinnie Gable and Cody Thomson. Throughout the entirety of lunchtime, an army swarmed the shavees, taking it in turns to remove hair. Numerous amusing hairstyles were produced along the way – from the “reverse mohawk” to the “Brazilian Ronaldo”.

Whilst the event was a lot of fun for all, the purpose of it was very serious. Every day seven new people are diagnosed with blood cancer. It is a disease which affects individuals, families, and communities and within Aotearoa, 21,000 people currently live with the disease. Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand is an organisation which funds patient and family support programmes as well as advocating the needs of patients and family to governmental agencies and other organisations. We are very proud of the cause these boys stood behind.

In total, the preliminary amount raised by Otago Boys’ was $21,887.54! The support of our community has been overwhelming and we are incredibly grateful to every single person who donated. Your contribution has helped to fund a vital programme for blood cancer patients. A special thanks has to go to Layne Opetaia from Fresh Prince Barbers and our very own Pratham Arya for tidying up some of the slightly dodgy cuts! Recognition must also go to student event organisers Benjamin Burrow and Seb Whiston as well as all the staff who contributed towards the running of the day – events like this cannot run without the selfless contributions these volunteers make. Finally, to the students – congratulations. Congratulations on putting your hair on the line and “shaving for a cure”. New Zealand would be a far lesser place without extraordinary actions such as this!

Image Gallery