Fathers, uncles, sons and brothers are being urged to grow a bit of facial fuzz this winter to help sick children in the north and north-east.
The ARCHIE Foundation’s Beards for Bairns appeal, now in its third year, was originally launched as a response to the success of the Movember movement in fighting men’s cancer.
But instead of growing as big a moustache as possible, ARCHIE – the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital – has challenged men to take it on the chin and grow their beards big and bushy to raise as much cash as possible.
Dr Gareth Paton, an emergency medical consultant at the hospital, is growing his own whiskers for the charity because he knows firsthand how cash donated to the charity helps to improve the lives of young patients.
He said: “Me and a group of others at the emergency department got together last year and raised money, and we were really successful so we’re wanting to do it again.
“It was good for morale in the department, and a fun topic of conversation in the coffee room.
“There were a few good beards, a few unexpected ones, a few long ones, and a few colourful ones as some people even dyed them – although a few ginger and grey hairs poked through as it grew.
“ARCHIE does a lot of work around the children’s hospital, and supports a lot of projects that people see, but also a lot of projects that go on behind the scenes.
“The funds that they raise fund really important projects for both patients and their families.”
Emma Slesser, fundraising manager for the charity, said: “All the men have to do is not shave from December 25 until January 25, on Burns Night, and in the process raise as much money as they can by asking family and friends to sponsor their beard.
“All we ask is that they raise or give at least £10, but hopefully they will find it is lots of fun and raise lots more.”
To get involved, text ARCHIE to 70660 to receive further details and a sponsorship form.