Thirteen Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) students have shaved their heads and raised more than $3,000 in the process.

MAC hosteller Hugo Gaddum said the group was inspired by another hosteller who had to leave the school last term and return home to Auckland for chemotherapy.

In solidarity with him, all the year 13 hostel students - plus another couple of day students that were “roped in” - shaved their heads last Thursday (August 22).

The former hosteller was “pretty stoked” after seeing photos of his fellow hostellers with their heads shaved, Hugo said.

The event was listed as a fundraiser on the ‘Shave for a Cure’ website and it has raised more than $3,000.

“Three grand is pretty awesome,” Hugo said. “It’s a lot more than I was expecting.”

The hostellers had initially hoped to raise $500 and they were all surprised at how well the fundraiser had gone.

Hugo said the school was “quite impressed” at how much had been raised.

“Thanks to everyone who has supported us,” he added.

All money raised will go to the Leukemia and Blood Cancer Foundation, which provides a range of services to patients across the country, supports funding for research, raises awareness, and advocates for patients.

The fundraiser is still live.

PHOTO: Wānaka App