Arrowtown Preschool teacher Mercy Liu shaved off all but one centimetre of her hair yesterday afternoon — simultaneously raising more than $3000 for the Cancer Society.
A huge crowd, including many of her young charges, gathered at Arrowtown’s The Fork and Tap to support Miss Liu, 27, as 93cm of her hair, which hasn’t been cut or chemically treated in five years, was lopped off, before preschool parent and hairdresser Anna Stewart, of Paper Scissors Rock, finished the job with clippers.
She was motivated to get the big chop to show appreciation for the way she has been treated as a migrant in New Zealand, and wanted to give back to her adopted community.
She also wanted to honour her mum, who received a cancer diagnosis in China last year.
Her hair was first tied up into 20 ponytails before people took turns at cutting them off — it would now be sent to Dunedin’s Freedom Wigs.
After the job was done, Miss Liu said she was "overwhelmed".
"I just feel so loved and so supported by this amazing community, and how much they care about the Cancer Society.
"How powerful the community can be — it’s really amazed me.
"I think it’s one of my life moments. I will remember [it] forever, and I’m so glad so many children witnessed the whole process.
"That’s always my hope ... little seeds plant into them, that you can be brave for the things that matter to you, and you can help people, just from a little idea."
As to how she felt after the haircut?
"I’m feeling cold," she laughed.
"I was so warm before — maybe I need a beanie?"
