The Otago Polytechnic student president, students and staff are shaving their heads. The Students' Association is organising a sponsored head shave as a fund-raiser for CanTeen, the charity for young people living with cancer.

"I'm actually quite excited about it and looking forward to a fun day," said Meegan Cloughley, OPSA president.

Michelle Fidow, OPSA vice-president is not so confident. "I'm more nervous than excited, I think, but it's a great cause. The support we have been receiving from local businesses has been humbling."

Every cent raised for this event is going back to Dunedin CanTeen organisation. People interested in sponsoring a "shavee" should contact the OPSA office on 479-6974 or upstairs in the Student Centre on Harbour Tce, or CanTeen on 477-4933.

The shavees' hair will be cut by Janine Jensen of I Want It Now Cut & Colour and a hairdresser from Express Cut and Colour, in a carnival atmosphere on the Polytechnic Quad, 12 noon, Wednesday 28 April.

Ms Cloughley is hoping that one of the senior managers of the Polytechnic will take up the challenge of being the one to shave her head.

"Each day a new person states they will be getting their head shaved. It almost seems that the event has got a life of its own now, which is great," said Ms Cloughley

Spectators are welcome even if they don't want to have their head shaved, and donations to CanTeen can be made on the day. ANZ will be running a barbecue with proceeds going to CanTeen.