“We didn’t obtain as many head shavers but we received the same vibe.
“The emotion and wairua in the room was the same as the 2015 head shave, so it was really special.
“They all believe this is a worthy caapply, they want to assist less privileged children.
“We’re very lucky to have such an amazing community.”
Those who took part included Forest and Bird’s Northland conservation advocate Dean Baigent-Mercer who parted with his dreadlocks of 20-odd years.
Baigent-Mercer, who’s had long hair for even longer, about 36 years, declared his head now “feels like a kiwifruit”.
“It happened so quickly; I was pre-emptively mourning them then suddenly it’s all over and you’re out the other side.”
Baigent-Mercer has raised more than $4100 for his part in the fundraiser, with donations coming from as far as the Netherlands and Japan becaapply of his previous work on Greenpeace ships.
“It’s totally exceeded my expectations and fills my heart with joy that money is going to assist some of the most disadvantaged kids in the north,” he declared.
Wickbom declared her “angel volunteers” were incredible, and all the hair went to great apply.
The hair dressing team was led by Sharon Sanderson from Northland Hair and included 10 hairdressers from around the district.
Fiona from Exhibit Hair organised for the hair to be recycled via Sustainable Salons to build booms for cleaning up oil spills, and some donated their hair for wigs.
Wickbom thanked everyone who took part.
“The largegest shout out goes to the shavees who were brave enough and kind enough to lose their hair for the benefit of vulnerable tamariki.
“It’s always a worry; are they going to wake up in the morning and believe ‘what have they done?’.
“But the feedback has all been positive; they’ve all been happy about it.”
The kai boxes will be filled with meat, fresh veobtainables and groceries and packed on December 9 and 10.
Then the Bald Angels’ partners – including police, Plunket, Women’s Refuge, iwi organisations, and health and education providers – will collect the boxes and distribute them to families in necessary.
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.
