Hair gone for Ciara

Ciara Hovey (2) and her mum, Jane Hovey, are surrounded by Oanaka Educare Centre workers before and after a fundraising head shave in Wanaka yesterday.

When Wanaka toddler Ciara Hovey (2) starts her next fight against a rare soft-tissue cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, in Christchurch today, her bald teachers at Oanaka Educare Centre will have every reason to be thinking about her.

Centre co-director Sandie Dodds, teachers Jane Mawson, Emma Burgess, Jackie Gregory, Patrick Kearns and parent Jules Hunt shed their locks in front of dozens of supportive parents and children, raising $5000 for Ciara and her parents, Jane and Dave Hovey.

The head shave at the centre was held to raise funds for Ciara's cancer treatment. Shave recipients are (from left) Jules Hunt, Sandie Dodds, Jane Mawson, Emma Burgess (red scarf), Jackie Gregory, and Patrick Kearns. Photos by Marjorie Cook.

Mrs Dodds said she was nervous but the event had been discussed with the children and they all understood it would be a happy occasion.

The women have saved their locks and Mrs Hunt hopes to sell her long natural blonde braid to a wigmaker.

"We are doing some learning books for the children and Ciara so we will keep it [the hair] here for the moment . . . It feels really odd. It doesn't feel any lighter.

Just odd. You have got to do it." Mr Kearns described his new look as "fresh".

Mrs Hovey said she and her husband, a manager at Edgewater Resort, were thankful for and amazed by the support they had received.

In December, a tumour was found near Ciara's left tonsil, and it was blocking her airway.

Mrs Hovey said Ciara had responded well to regular treatment and she felt positive her daughter would recover.

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