When Thinking With Your Head is Thinking With Your Heart

Dr Corbett in the hot seat (right) as Ben works the clippers

Ben Fastier and Kathleen McDonald relieved Dr Corbett (centre) of his locks. They reckon it's all even on the ward now!

FunRazor head shave raises over $100,000 for kids with cancer

What started in 2003 as one Christchurch man’s desire to provide entertainment in the form of Playstations for kids with cancer has, in three short years, snowballed into a nationwide event that sees grown men and women shaving their hair off to raise money for kids with cancer throughout New Zealand.

“A close shave” began as a smallish head shave event after Christchurch radio personality Dean Harrison (Deano) visited the hospital bed of a young friend with leukaemia around Christmas time, and found him bored stiff. Deano went home and arrived back later with a Playstation for his friend to borrow… but then found himself wanting to provide all the kids on the ward with the same.

Two and a half weeks later Deano was in Cathedral Square in Christchurch sitting beside mayor Garry Moore, Newstalk ZB’s John Dunn, Classic Hits DJ’s Rik and Nick and other friends and business associates. The Carl Watkins hairdressing team shaved the men’s heads bald while supporters contributed $24,000 in sponsorship. The proceeds went to the Child Cancer Foundation much to their astonishment. Deano’s desire became a reality.

In 2004 more people became involved, raising a whopping $73,000 and setting a new record for the number of heads shaved (117) within a certain period of time.

Not content to rest on his laurels, Deano decided it was time to take the event wider and in December 2005 the event was dubbed “FunRazor” and expanded into Wellington, Nelson and unexpectedly - Scott Base in the Antarctic! Deano’s partner Becs has also become heavily involved in the event over the years. Deano refers to himself as the brawn of the partnership and Becs as the brains. With the brawn, the brains, and the kind hearted kiwis who got involved, the 2005 FunRazor raised a staggering $100,000 which will go towards supporting children with cancer and their families throughout the year.

Congratulations to Deano and Becs for their fantastic efforts. In 2006 FunRazor will again take place on the first day of December, and is expected to roll out in more towns and cities throughout New Zealand including Auckland, Hamilton and Invercargill.

"But I can’t shave his head...he's a Doctor!"

Nine year old Kathleen McDonald was horrified at first to find that the special surprise waiting for her in Cathedral Square was paediatric oncologist Dr Rob Corbett and a big pair of clippers!

Kathleen and fellow cancer sufferer Ben Fastier (also 9yrs) were urged by Child Cancer Foundation Family Support Coordinator Cynthia Annear to join her in the square for an important event.

Ben had spent the previous three months on the hospital ward fighting off both shingles and chicken pox, as his immune system fought to keep up with his treatment.