Clean shave for worthy cause
Taranaki Daily News - Thursday, October 29, 2009 1:10 PM
Vunisa (21) said he came to New Plymouth from Fiji to play rugby but was happy to support such a worthy cause.
It was all coming off for members of the Taranaki rugby team yesterday.
The team-mates had their beards shaved off at Just Cuts, raising $500 for the NZ Blood and the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation.
Manager Richard Newsome said they did not just do it for the money but also to bring attention to the desperate need for blood across New Zealand.
"It wasn't [just] about raising money, more about raising awareness.
"Just about giving blood and what it means to people, and that blood only lasts one month."
New Zealand needs 3000 blood donations every week although only four per cent of New Zealanders donate.
Most of the team-mates started growing their beards two months ago – and shaving them off yesterday were manager Mr Newsome, number eight Jarrad Hoeata, loose-forward Samu Vunisa and centre Nathan Hohaia.
Vunisa (21) said he came to New Plymouth from Fiji to play rugby but was happy to support such a worthy cause.
"Just give it a go ... just try to help out a good cause off-field."
Once beardless, the players said they were glad to be back to being clean shaven and looking forward to finally washing their faces properly.
"I'm feeling a lot lighter, a bit younger. I've had family affected by cancer. It's a good way to help out those needy causes," Hoeata said.
The players have joined others from New Zealand regional rugby teams in The Air New Zealand Cup to raise funds for the foundation in the "Beards for Blood" promotion.
The idea was suggested by Sky Sports presenter Scotty "Sumo" Stevenson to North Harbour player Jack McPhee and has since been joined by many rugby players across the country.
Others that have added their facial hair to the fundraising effort are from the North Harbour, Northland, Manawatu, Canterbury, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Otago and Waikato Air New Zealand Cup teams.
And as for whether the fundraising stunt will be repeated next season, Mr Newsome says it may not be beard shaving but they will just have to see what happens.
