I’m taking on bowel cancer by shaving off my beard for Decembeard.

I’ve got a very personal reason for backing the campaign as Elliot Willis, my crewman for the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, had to pull out just
months before games when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Together we won a gold medal at the 470 European Championship event held in Athens in 2014. We then went on to win a silver medal at the test event for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio and finished in fourth place at the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships. Based on these results we were selected to represent Great Britain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the men's 470 class.

However in March 2016 Elliot had to withdraw in order to
undertake treatment for his cancer.

Elliot is still mid treatment. He's currently undergoing immunotherapy and has a great quality of life back. Really though, it's still a waiting game and about continuing treatment. 

I always thought that bowel cancer only affected older people but it doesn’t.  If someone as young and fit as Elliot can be diagnosed with the disease, then anyone can.

That’s why I’m supporting Decembeard. It raises funds for a great cause and helps to spread awareness of the disease, which could lead to people being diagnosed earlier and that could save their lives.

Hope you can sponsor me and help Decembeard take on bowel cancer. Thank you!