Hair today, gone tomorrow.

Seven insurance executives are going for "total cranial nudity" as a way of raising funds for local cancer charity, PALS.

Organiser Stephen Fallon, of IPC Re, said the idea came from some friends in the US who have, in the last two years, shaved their heads as a way of raising funds to go to help children with cancer.

The fundraiser typically takes place the Friday before St. Patrick's day and has been dubbed St. Baldrick's Day.

Now a group of insurance underwriters from Bermuda are to follow suit. The move, which will see the seven men shave their heads in public - and in a pub, no less - is intended to do more than raise funds, it is also a way of showing solidarity with children with cancer who may lose their hair during chemotherapy treatment.

The monies raised will go in to a newly-created PALS endowment fund for the research and care of children with cancer in Bermuda.

Henry Keeling, of XL Re, said the idea to do the fundraiser here in Bermuda was hatched "in the best tradition of ideas" during a night of drinking. He said the Bermuda group hoped to raise proportionally more than their US counterparts.

Dirk Hasselkuss of Hannover Re said he is only too happy to take it off for a "worthwhile" cause: "We are fortunate in that we are of good health and reasonable financial strength. And this will be a lot of fun, and to collect money for a worthwhile cause."

PALS chair Gavin Arton, who is also a senior vice-president at XL - but who will not be shaving his head - said it was an honour to have some of the Island's underwriters undertake to raise money for PALS.

The men are being shaved at Robin Hood's Pub on Richmond Road next Friday from 3 p.m.

For further information, including how to make donations, please refer to www.stbaldricks.org, or by E-mail: maria.steinvallwillis.com.

In addition to pledges secured from individuals, the participant's employers are to match the monies raised.