Blair Cameron has made a bold declaration – he will shave off his ‘man bun’ – arguably his most recognisable feature – if he hits his NBS Dancing for a Cause fundraising target.
That is no easy feat being that his target is $100k, but not unachievable he reckons, being that he’s sitting at just over $80k already.
Blair, who represented the National Party when he ran against Nelson MP Rachel Boyack in the last general election, is one of 10 contestants who will take to the dance floor at Trafalgar Centre in just two weeks for a major fundraiser for Nelson Tasman Hospice.
“I set out with a big target to raise $100k, and thought, if I push really hard, I’ll be able to reach it,” Blair says.
“And we are so close, so what can you do to convince a few Nelsonians to dig into their pockets and come up with a donation for hospice? This came to mind,” he says, of the idea to lose his hair.
He says his dance partner Hazel Black was shocked, but has come around to the idea, although he jokes that she’s not “mentally prepared” to have him sport a new do right before the performance.
So, not wanting to throw his dance partner off her game, Blair has vowed to lose the locks after the event on 16 and 17 May, if he reaches the $100k target before he steps onto the dance floor.
Blair and Hazel, who won the last event with her dance partner Ryan Edwards, have been getting in some extra practice, as he confesses he “needs it”.
He says his prior dance experience is “absolutely zero” and admits there has been a bit of stepping on toes.
“Hazel’s been absolutely amazing. She’s so lovely and has so much patience with me.”
So, who will be the biggest threat on the dance floor come 16 May? “I don’t know if I want to single anyone out… It’s actually been really cool, because all 10 of us have become really good mates through this.
“And it’s only now, in the last few weeks, that the banter is starting to happen a bit.”
But, when pressed, none other than Hazel’s husband Rhys, who is also a contestant, is the one to beat, Blair says.
“I have seen him dance, and he’s pretty good, so Hazel and I are definitely out to beat him,” Blair quips.
Rhys is also the one with the most competitive banter, Blair reckons, another reason why he’s on the hit list.
Blair says, although it’s a competition, every contestant has supported each other with fundraising events.
“It’s a massive team effort. It’s not one person trying to outdo each other. It’s all about how can we raise as much money for us and for hospice.”
Blair had first-hand experience with hospice when he moved home in 2020.
“My aunty was in there when I first moved home, and I just feel really privileged that I have this opportunity to give back to hospice, that was amazing for my family. Not everybody gets that sort of opportunity to give back to an organisation that has done so much for so many in Nelson and Tasman.”
To get Blair over the line, and help choose exactly how short his hair will go, head to dancingforacause.co.nz/campaigns/blair-cameron/donate
