Amazing wig stand project for local cancer patients. By Tony Waygood of Greytown

Piers Fuller Reporter from News of Wairarapa

Do you ever feel helpless ? I am retired and have never had any woodworking or other practical skills during my working life. As I entered retirement my young sister died of cancer. She was only 57. I felt helpless. Well, I thought at least I can drive a vehicle so there may be cancer patients needing a lift to treatment. So, I applied for a job as a driver and was welcomed with open arms and became incredibly busy. Two years later I was asked if I could spare the time to coordinate the driving requirements in my area and for the next several years, I did just that.

A colleague who took retirement at the same time as me was a wood turner and showed me some of the things that he could make on his lathe. I got interested and started to teach myself but eventually found that an experienced turner was starting a basic course for people like me but his school was in another district and two and a half hours drive away. However, I was keen enough to give it a go. This was the start of me buying my own equipment and attending courses of instruction all over the country and even overseas.

Then, there followed the establishment of the Men's Sheds and, by this time I had completed an advanced course and acquired my Certificate in Woodturning. At about the same time I became aware of the huge need to help cancer patients who were suffering from hair loss largely due to one of the side effects of chemothrerapy. These patients were attending the ‘Look Good Feel Better’ programme through the cancer society and the wig maker needed help in the making of wig stands.
This is now a successful Community Project where wood has been provided by:-

The Dame Malvina Major Rest Home (As a result of a refurbishment project)
Local farmers and landowners
The Mens Sheds in Masterton and Greytown
Individual refurbishment programmes in Carterton
Kings Kitchens
Timspecs
Wairarapa Woodworkers Guild
Funding has been provided by:-
The South Wairarapa Rotary Club
The Nikau Foundation

None of this would have been possible without the skill, time, energy and enthusiasm shown by the Wairarapa wood turners and the individuals who have gone that extra mile. But, at the end of the day, we are now really feel part of the cancer society who do such great work and we now have no need to feel helpless.
Indeed, you only have to witness the gratitude of patients to realise the real value of the help given if you are part of this community effort.