Several local high school students are losing their locks next week to raise money for Cops for Cancer.
Four Grade 9 Delta Secondary students - Ashley Hughes, Jessie Lynes, Mirren Smillie and Madison Tani - will all shave their heads on Sept. 29 when the Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley riders roll through South Delta. A fifth student, Natalie Baltzer, who is in Grade 8, is cutting off eight inches of hair.
Cops for Cancer brings teams of law enforcement and emergency personnel together for fundraising rides. The Tour de Valley team, which includes several Delta police officers, will ride through South Delta on Sept. 29, making stops at schools and businesses.
This isn't the first time Lynes, who has seen cancer affect members of her family, has shaved her head to raise money for Cops for Cancer.
In 2008, as a Grade 5 student, Lynes inspired her fellow students to shave or cut their hair and raise more than $6,000.
Hughes said she is shaving her head in honour of friend Megan McNeil, who died at the age of 20 after battling the disease.
Smillie said she's taking on the challenge in honour of her grandmother, who died from ovarian cancer.
"I'm doing it in solidarity with her."
Stylist Denise Askin of Park Avenue Hair Design has donated her time to shave the girls' heads.
They are hoping to raise around $10,000.
An online donation page has been set up. To make a donation visit www.copsforcancerbc.ca and click on "Fraser Valley Region." The Delta Secondary Head Shave page can be found by clicking on "more" under the "Team Rank" box on the right side of the screen.
jkerr@delta-optimist.com
