One of my best mates has recently had some bad news but to cheer us all up he has proposed a Decembeard event to raise some funds for a great cause (although I am pretty sure he is just trying to make us all look stupid as he can actually grow a good beard). I shall be joining his fundraising team to support his selected charity - Bowel Cancer UK.

It would be greatly appreciated by all of us if you would kindly support this amazing charity through donating to this cause and fundraising event (also, feel free to grow your own beard in support).  Subject to special camera work, I shall try to identify facial growth as the month drags on and share all results online through this page.

To understand a little more about the reasons behind this event please feel free to read the following, in my mates own words,....

"Thank you for visiting my page. Just over two months ago my life was turned upside down. Within a few weeks a suspected hernia diagnosis, turned out to be cancer. Further investigations revealed I had bowel, liver and peritoneum (the abdominal membrane) cancer, with the news it was incurable. There are no words to describe the emotional rollercoaster that my family, close friends and I have been on, but the impact has been devastating on us all. 

Now while my prognosis is what it is, anyone who knows me well will tell you I don’t believe in no win situations. So, I will be doing everything I can to fight this terrible disease with everything that I’ve got. At the same time, I intend to seize the day and make the most of the time that I do have. Part of this means me getting involved and trying to raise some money for a charity that obviously has huge significance for me now - Bowel Cancer UK.

Bowel Cancer UK are the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. They are committed to saving lives and improving the quality of life for everyone affected by bowel cancer, with a clear vision of a future where nobody dies of the disease. The charity provides information and support for everyone affected by bowel cancer, and their campaigning focusses heavily on improving survival and quality of life for those with advanced bowel cancer. They are working to improve early diagnosis to ensure people get the right test at the right time and are also committed to fund research which will improve the prevention, early detection and treatment of the disease.

My fundraising plans include enlisting willing and unwilling volunteers to take part in Decembeard. Which simply means, no shaving for the month of December- as it’s the month to grow your beard!

As I already have a head-start, I've not shaved since I started my treatment, and plan to grow my beard for three months instead and it’s likely to be changing colour or sprouting Christmas beard baubles, or any other creative ideas I or others can think of! There may also be a few other challenges along the way to help raise much needed cash for the cause. 

So, can you help? Your donation, big or small, is a great encouragement to me and the team and will help to make the Charity’s vision a reality.

Thank you. Mike"

Thank you, all donations welcomed and appreciated.