About 80 children and 40 adults watched Big Rock Primary School pupil Jessica Power sit on the school's library veranda yesterday to have her shoulder-length hair shaved off.
In the crowd at the Brighton school were Jessica's parents Garry and Lynda, sister Courtney (12) and grandparents Alan and Carol Power.
Carol, who has battled cancer for the past three years, said it was ''awesome'' Jessica had raised nearly $1700 in three weeks for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.
''This just blows me away ... Words don't describe it. She's a brave little girl.''
Carol had a ''holiday'' booked at the Otago Community Hospice and was philosophical about the future but wanted to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary in July.
''I hope to be here for that,'' Mrs Power said.
The hairdresser slowly shaved Jessica's head yesterday, leaving her fringe for last.
When the clippers removed the final strands, the crowd erupted in applause and the children rushed forward to give Jessica high-fives and head-rubs.
''It feels really weird,'' Jessica said, stroking her scalp.
Big Rock Primary School principal David Grant said it was a ''remarkable'' fundraising effort by the year 6 pupil.
''She is an incredible young lady,'' he said.
