The buzz on facial fuzz

 Many of New Zealand’s rugby players are growing their beards to shave off in support of NZ Blood and the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation. So far North Harbour, Northland, Manawatu, Taranaki, Canterbury, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Otago and Te Brick (Sky Sports mascot) have scheduled their facial furniture for removal and are starting their fundraising...others are joining in.

The players are bringing the buzz to their fuzz to raise awareness about the need for blood donors in New Zealand and to raise funds to support New Zealand patients and families living with leukaemia and related blood conditions.

North Harbour’s Jack McPhee, the seriously furnished ginger, says “we should all be giving blood because it saves lives and the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation is a great cause to support too”.

Support your favourite player
Although the teams are growing beards to compete with that of the Hobbit’s Gandalf, you can support your favourite team in their fundraising without going to hairy lengths. Each rugby player and Union is trying to be the winner by attracting the most pledges to donate blood through their webpage and gain the most cash donations for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation.

About the event
The teams will grow their beards through October to the end of the Air New Zealand Cup season and will shave in the last week of regular competition late in October.

About NZ Blood
NZ Blood Service needs 3,000 donations of blood every week
-  Blood only lasts 35 days
-  Save up to three lives with each donation
-  Less than 5% of kiwis donate
To donate to NZ Blood, phone 0800 GIVE BLOOD (0800 448 325) or visit the New Zealand Blood Service web site www.nzblood.co.nz