In June 2017, our close friend Patrick Wymer, was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. The disease is incurable and has spread beyond his bowel and into his liver and lungs. Patrick’s life expectancy is limited with only around 10% of stage 4 bowel cancer patients surviving for more than 5 years after diagnosis.

Typically, Patrick has been amazingly positive in the way he has dealt with his cancer. Following major surgery last year, he has been on several different treatments including regular chemotherapy. 

Patrick has become increasingly involved in the bowel cancer world through his blog (https://bowelcancerman.wordpress.com/) and social media. He has spoken at cancer events at the Welsh Assembly and Cardiff University and has taken part in other cancer fundraising initiatives. 

This December, Patrick and a group of his oldest and closest friends (Mick Finlay, Andy Glaser, Richard Ilsley & Tony Bobath) will be taking part in Decembeard and growing beards to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK.

This has been a very difficult time for Patrick, his family and his friends, but we are determined to raise awareness of bowel cancer and to raise much needed funds for the UK’s largest bowel cancer charity.

Bowel Cancer UK is asking men across the nation to put aside their shaving routines and get sponsored to grow a beard for Decembeard. Taking part is easy; beard growers just need to start the 1 December clean shaven, set up a fundraising page, and get growing. Last year we raised £130,000 which helped us to support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care. Our vision is a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer but we can't achieve this alone. Join us this December, get growing and raise as much as you can! Find out more and sign up at www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/Decembeard