Head-banging to rock music while playing the drums will not be the same, but 17-year-old Josh Cooke's newly shaven head is for a good cause.
The Dunedin teenager, who has Down syndrome, raised more than $500 for a children's cancer charity by having his hair shaved off yesterday for the first time.
His co-workers at Edinburgh Realty supported the initiative, prompted by the cancer diagnosis of Josh's 12-year-old family friend.
His mother, Sharon Cooke, said Josh preferred his hair long "because when he plays the drums he can do that head-banging rock thing".
But after a few laughs and a temporary mohawk, the teenager declared he loved his new "do".
He was nervous before friend Anna Henderson picked up the clippers, having never had a "number one" cut.
Josh started his part-time administration support job at Edinburgh Realty about three months ago.
General manager Mark Miller said he had a brother with Down syndrome and knew how much someone like Josh could benefit from a job as well as add to the workplace.
"He's been really loving it and so have all the other staff," Mr Miller said.
Aside from work, Josh was learning Chinese, taking cooking lessons and frequenting the gym, Mrs Cooke said.
"And he's offered to vacuum the floor after the head-shaving," she said.
