ABOUT 1,000 individuals went 'botak' for a good cause. The 'shavees' thronged Velocity @ Novena Square on Sunday to raise funds for children with cancer.

So many people turned up at the seventh annual Hair For Hope event that the organisers, the Children's Cancer Foundation (CCF), had to divert some of them to five participating salons nearby.

The number of 'shavees', including those held separately for the event at schools and companies, will add up to about 1,800 bald heads by the end of the month. This is the highest record in the event's history, compared to just nine people when it first started in 2003.

'We hope to raise public awareness of childhood cancer and show solidarity with the children and their families in their battle against cancer,' said CCF chairman Ravi Sivalingam.

In all, the foundation hopes to raise more than $500,000 for children with cancer - $350,000 has been raised so far.

The money raised will go to helping families of sufferers with their medical costs and treatment, as well as the Family Service Centres at both KK Women's and Children's Hospital and the National University Hospital. This amount will add to the overall annual fund-raising target of $3 million needed, which the CCF is currently short of by about $1.5 million.

The 'shavees', made up of supporters as well as cancer survivors and their families, included Straits Times editor Han Fook Kwang, 56, who received $20,000 in pledges. 'I'm doing it to raise awareness for this charity and what they do.'

Having set up The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund with colleagues, Mr Han is aware of the difficulties of fund raising. But, he said, the real heroes are the CCF volunteers, who have dedicated a lot of time in helping others.

How does he feels sans hair? Cool, he quipped.

The public can make online donations at www.ccf.org.sg or call 6593-6471.

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.