A Kamloops father raises over $4,000 for letting his daughter cut his hair

Photo: Nathaniel Martin

A Kamloops dad raised over $4,000 for the Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre (KSACC) and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), all by letting his six-year-old daughter cut his hair.

In October, Castanet shared a story about Nathaniel Martin, a man who let his child give him a haircut to support local causes. It's an initiative he started this year and hopes to continue and grow every year going forward.

Martin even recorded an adorable video of his daughter taking scissors to his locks.

Now, he's sharing the success of his first-ever Cutober fundraiser.

Employees at Highland Valley Copper (HVC) had the option to donate through their paycheques and they raised $3,220, which will be divided into two cheques of $1,610 each. One has already been delivered to the KSACC.

The other cheque of $1,610 from HVC will go to the CMHA. Martin will deliver it to their clubhouse tomorrow (Dec. 4) at 10 a.m.  

In addition, Martin had created a GoFundMe page which raised $1,110 for the United Way, which will also be divided and given to KSACC and CMHA.

"I'm very happy by the results," says Martin, about the inaugural Cutober.  "It was definitely an easy way to start a difficult and heavy conversations. Many people have talked to me, and said that although they're in or have family in those exact situations, they often have felt unable to speak out about it."

Next year, Martin hopes Cutober will be bigger.

"Several dads have expressed a willingness to give this a go next year. GoFundMe has also reached out to ask if they can be of more help next year as this was such a unique idea they hope maybe this can be duplicated elsewhere."

As for his wacky haircut, it's changing back.

"It's back to normalville for my hair," he says. "I was given a complimentary haircut from the manager of the Walmart First Choice Haircutters, Julie, because of how close to home the Mental Health Awareness portion of Cutober was about in regards to her family."

While he won't miss the odd style, others will.

"It does feel great to have the hair back again," he continues. "A bunch of the guys at work miss seeing it in disarray and my daughter wants to know when she can cut it again but I told them all they'll just have to wait till next year."

Some other dads joked with Martin saying they want to participate next year, but can't because they don't have hair.

"So I also told them there was a work around it. Permanent sharpies. Their eyes get a bit wide when they realize I'm being a little bit serious," he says.

Martin adds he is grateful for the support he received in this new venture "Many many many thanks to the people of Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna, Calgary and even St John's Newfoundland.  They have all helped spread awareness which was the biggest goal."

To get involved in next year's Cutober, contact Nathaniel Martin by email.