Story
<p>Two years ago, the good folk on LEC dug deep and raised over £1600 for Cancer Research.<br />This last year, we have all read the emotional story of Karen and Andy: Andy had been diagnosed with terminal Mesothelioma cancer so Karen bought an Elan for him as he had always wanted one. Sadly, Andy's time of Elan ownership was cut tragically short in August.<br />This year, we have heard of DaveT and ChrisT and their fight with prostate cancer. This led to our spiritual leader to donate his face to a campaign to raise the awareness of PC (http://uk.movemberfoundation.com/) and one hazards to guess just how beautiful he will look with a moustache.<br />To test the water, I have not shaved this last week and it has been deeply upsetting not to see the suave sophisticated look that I had 30 years ago when I last had a beard. To be honest, I have been mistaken for a vagrant at work and if it continues as it is, I won't need the fake beard at Christmas.<br />It is now decision time: do I shave it off and forget all about it, or do I keep it during Movember in support of Sy and can I put my well honed kitty fiddling skills to good use? I have obviously decided on the latter and I hope that in these worrying financial times we can hit the target to help support those who support our friends and loved ones during times of crisis.<br />As an added twist and to give all those who want to get even with me a fair crack of the whip, I will shave half my beard off at the end of Movember. For every £100 over the target, I will wait another day before I shave the other half off.<br /><span style="color: #0000ff;">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;">So please dig deep and donate now.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></p>
<p>PS I hope the cat's picture does not cause offence, but it is there to remind you that if you are over 50 (or 40 if your family has a history of prostate cancer) to get yourself checked out.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;">PPS On reflection, knowing the sort of people who frequent LEC and after reading it through again, I'm having second thoughts and I'm not quite so sure now. I think I'd better put a limit of Christmas day 2010 on the half baked beard idea.<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;">So please DON'T dig deep and DON'T donate now!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;">June 2011: Well it's been 6 months since the half beard was removed. I then found out that a good friend in the USA had also had prostate cancer, so I decided not to get my hair cut and endure some more ridicule to make a few more people aware of PC. Of late, the originality of comments has been unbelieveable: "That reminds me, I've got to buy a bog brush", "Jimi Hendrix lives", "The fuzzy-wuzzies don't like it up 'em" and even a reference to the Robertson's jam character in Occupational Health. Sadly, it is time to loose it as we're off to the States next week and I think it would have been too warm. It was fun while it lasted and it was one last hurrah for the 1970's busby before it starts going (more) grey and (more) falls out.</span></p>
<p><strong>Thanks once again to everyone who donated.</strong></p>