Twelve staff at the Three Parks New World supermarket lost their locks yesterday morning (Wednesday September 9) to raise thousands of dollars for the Child Cancer Foundation.

Some donated pony tails which had taken years to grow and others agreed to a close shave - “a number one or two”, hair cutter Amanda Welch said.

“Most were really shy about having their hair cut at first,” Amanda said, but they gained confidence as they saw the first results.

“One young girl was the bravest as she chose to have her hair shaved off to nothing. But they all did really well,” she said.

Retired professional hairdresser Amanda Welch gives Elizabeth “Biff” Taylor a close cut. PHOTO: Wanaka App

The former hairdresser donated her time and Wanaka’s Ali Barbers provided some supplies to the fund raising effort.

“It’s a really good cause and it was nice to be able to help,” she said.

Young Forbes Mackay gives Geoff Clearwater a close shave. PHOTO: Wanaka App

Amanda was aided in the challenge by Forbes Mackay, who celebrated his ninth birthday yesterday. Forbes is currently undergoing chemo treatment.

“I showed him how to do it,” Amanda said, “and he was really cool. It was nice he was part of it.”

She advised some of the women losing their locks to put on lipstick - “a little bit of lippy always helps,” she said. 

Kirsten McIntosh, Elizabeth (Biff) Taylor, Geoff Clearwater and Nathan Goodfellow show off their new “hairdos”. PHOTO: Wanaka App

All the supermarket’s staff were encouraged to dress up their hair or wear wigs for “Wig Wednesday”, supermarket co-owner Natasha Bartley said.

More than $5,000 has been raised for the child cancer foundation with customer service manager Biff Taylor alone raising over $1000.

Donations can be made here or at the checkouts for the rest of the week.