Bermuda became balder yesterday, as men, women and children shaved their heads to raise money for the St Baldrick’s Foundation childhood cancer charity.

Among those participating was Andrew Mackay, general manager at Gorham’s hardware store. “My ears feel different. They feel cool. I’ve turned the air conditioning down in this office three times already,” Mr Mackay said about his first experience of having no hair.

“My staff say it looks great. I think they’re being polite because they want to keep their jobs.”

Mr Mackay decided to participate in the fundraising efforts after his 12-year-old daughter Chiara announced that she would be shaving her head for the cause, and his seven-year-old son Braydon also took part.

More than 100 students and staff at Saltus Grammar School also had their locks sheared, including head of school Ted Staunton, to raise a whopping $204,000 to date.

Year 2 student Jonas Schroder, who first braved the clippers in 2010 after his grandfather died, said: “I wanted to help cancer research. I feel strongly about this and St Baldrick’s is such a great cause I thought I should do it again.”

Jon Beard, deputy head and director of advancement at Saltus, praised the school’s “incredible response” to the initiative.

“Our mission statement calls on our students to commit to service to others,” he said, “and that’s just what these youngsters did today.”

Yesterday evening brought about yet more buzz cuts, as Docksider Pub & Restaurant opened its doors to stage a mass shave.

Event organiser Shabnam Ahmed informed The Royal Gazette that 48 volunteers would be having their hair lopped off, including reinsurance worker Vittoria Canale. Ms Canale said that it felt “surreal” not having any hair. However the Warwick native, who has raised more than $40,000 alone this year, added: “It’s a good feeling though to know that this will make a significant difference for children with cancer.”

Meanwhile, Steve O’Flynn from Chicago was “knighted” for his seventh year of participation.

“I’ve done it in Chicago twice, San Francisco once and here in Bermuda four times,” said the reinsurance worker, who joined the cause after his sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer eight years ago. She has since recovered.

“It’s showing solidarity with people who have lost their hair to cancer, and the camaraderie is great,” Mr O’Flynn added.

Since the first St Baldrick’s head-shaving event in 2000 in New York City, more than $178 million has been raised globally in its name to fight childhood cancer.