I don't usually write about personal issues on this blog so this is an exception to the rule.
I will be joining other men caross the country by growing a beard to raise money for research into bowel cancer.
I had my last shave for a month on Friday morning, so all ready for spending December nurturing my beard. I am hoping for a thick, curly black beard with hints of brown and ginger but doubt that is going to be the case. It is more likely to be useful for my annual role as Father Christmas but may be painful when the kids tug the beard to see if it is real.
Having spent the last almost 2 years undergoing investigations for all sorts of diseases after a sudden loss of weight and anaemia I realised that bowel cancer was a major issue, with 1 in 14 men being diagnosed with it during their lifetime and 2,500 people under 50 being diagnosed with it in the UK every year. I was given the all clear (my problem is kidney disease) but as a result of my experience and learning about it, want to do my bit for research into bowel cancer. If you'd like to sponsor my beard and support bowel cancer research please go to my Just Giving page here: LINK