I have been a bird keeper at Cotswold Wildlife Park for over 17 years and this year I will be shaving half my beard and half my hair, on the opposite side of my head for Prostate Cancer UK. This is a charity close to my heart as unfortunately two of my friends are currently receiving treatment for this disease.

Chris is famous for his beard at the Park. He has even gained a following on social media praising his impressive facial hair. After nine months of growing it, he wanted to do something different to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and has pledged to shave both his hair and beard off for the charity.

Barber Sam Oldfield has generously volunteered his services and will shave off Chris's hair and beard by Penguin Pool in summer (date to be confirmed-beginning of June).

Chris has been a Penguin keeper at Cotswold Wildlife Park for eighteen years, during which time he has helped with numerous charity events. He dressed up in a Penguin costume for “DreamNight At The Zoo” (Chris pictured with Findley in cover photo), a charity event for chronically ill and disabled children and their families who enjoyed the wildlife park after hours. Chris joined other members of staff at Cotswold Wildlife Park by volunteering his time to make the night one to remember. He has compèred the Park’s annual charity dog show Scruffs and also won the coveted title of Oxfordshire Cotswolds Tourism Superstar in 2014 and was shortlisted to the national finals in 2015.

In 2016, Chris raised over two thousand pounds for Make-A-Wish Foundation by shaving off half of his beard for his favourite charity. Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to enrich the lives of seriously ill children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions. They receive no government funding and rely entirely on the support of fundraisers.

Thank you for your generosity in raising money for a charity very close to Chris's heart. More updates will be posted on Cotswold Wildlife Park's social media.

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