Two Cure Kids ambassadors had a fantastic experience recently at the Silver Ferns vs Australia netball test matches, thanks to Cure Kids Key Partner Qantas.  Tamilla Khan (8) and Isabella Davies (10), both of whom suffer from leukaemia, had the opportunity to be Qantas ball deliverers for the games at Auckland and Christchurch respectively.  Both girls did a fantastic job and even featured on TV One!

This was a particularly special experience for Isabella as her family have just moved to Christchurch from Queenstown in order to give Isabella the best possible chance at surviving her leukaemia.  The Davies family were very sad to be leaving their family and friends in Queenstown, so this was a wonderful welcome to Christchurch for Isabella!

Close to $4,000 has been raised for Cure Kids at the games, which is a great result.  We are so grateful to Qantas and all involved for their time, support and dedication to Cure Kids.

Eleven-year-old Sophie Newbold, has always wanted long hair like her two older sisters.

Yesterday her wish came true with a little magic from Cure Kids, hair specialist Cinderella and an Invercargill hairdresser.

Sophie, of Gibbston, has a rare disorder called cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome, as well as a hole in her heart and problems with her heart valves.

Her facial features and skin are also affected and her hair doesn't grow much longer than 8cm.

Sophie's mum Bridget said her daughter had to deal with a lot of negative attention because of her appearance.

"Kids can be cruel but just having longer hair will make all the difference," she said.

Cure Kids South Island funding manager Josie Fitzgerald said Sophie's journey to Rupunzel-like locks began in 2004 when she was chosen as a Cure Kids ambassador.

"Bridget explained to her that there would be special doctors who would try and help her, and Sophie said would they make a special panadol that would give her plaits."

Ms Fitzgerald was touched by this, so she made inquires and was put in contact with Invercargill hairdresser Karina Winter.

Ms Winter and colleague Lauren Tootle battled through the snow and spent more than six hours attaching about 250 hair extensions to Sophie's hair yesterday.

What does Sophie think of her new look?

"I think my friends will say 'cool hair' but no one can pull it or touch it."

After more thought, she added, "Mum, can you can buy me some hair bands tomorrow?"