Clean shave to help cancer kids

It’s unlikely the Bean family will give each other hairbrushes this Christmas.

On 23 December nine-year-old Jade, her mother Senior Constable Toni and father Nick are having their heads shaved in aid of the Child Cancer Foundation.

Toni, a school community officer in Northland District, says Jade decided on the dramatic gesture after a cousin did the same to support a friend with cancer.

At first it was meant just as moral support – then the family decided to use it as a fund-raiser, with Toni, and then Nick, also opting to brave the clippers so Jade didn’t have to go it alone.

“She’s a selfless little thing,” says Toni. “It’s a huge thing for a young girl to do. We didn’t want her to go through it by herself.”

Jade’s flowing hair will go to a company which makes wigs for cancer sufferers and others. Money raised will aid the Child Cancer Foundation’s work to reduce the impact of cancer by supporting affected families.

“We keep telling people we’re lucky because our hair will grow back,” says Toni. “We don’t have to worry about that, but there are plenty of others who lose their hair and can’t grow it back.”

Jade raised around $300 from a fundraising day at her school. The family has a donations webpage and pledges from family and friends have taken the total to nearly $2000.

“It would be nice if we could raise $5000 but we’ll go ahead and do it even if we don’t,” says Toni.

The event - at a hairdresser’s salon in Kamo – will leave Jade’s six-year-old sister as the only immediate family member with locks intact.

If you would like to give to the cause, click here to go the family’s ‘Everyday hero’ page.