When Kate Lindsey's hair started to fall out last year, the first thing she thought was: ''How can I turn this into something positive?''.
The 37-year-old Dunedin International Airport air traffic controller was diagnosed with alopecia last year, and rather than hide the fact that she was balding, she decided to share it with her friends and work colleagues.
She had her remaining hair shaved and donated to a wig-maker, and 23 of her Airways Air Traffic Control colleagues around New Zealand followed suit, raising funds in the process.
The support inspired her to set up a fundraising raffle, in which the winner would receive a sightseeing flight over Dunedin in the Allied Press 1943 Tiger Moth with pilot and Mainland Air chief flying instructor John Penno.
''Thinking of myself being bald, I felt an affinity with people who lose their hair with cancer.
''So, I decided to donate the money to the Otago Child Cancer Foundation.''
About 10 other people paid donations to go up in the plane from Taieri Airfield on Saturday. Mrs Lindsey said she had been able to raise more than $11,500 for the organisation.
