So I'm growing a beard...

Any of you that know me, know that I'm a big fan of having a hairy face... 

Over the years I've had everything from stupid moustaches to ridiculous goatees...  Normally I'm sporting amazing mutton chops.   After speaking to a fellow beard aficionado at work we wondered how long our beards would be after a year and after some Googling found there's actually a term for a years worth of beard growth... a 'Yeard'.

So that was it... I decided I was growing a yeard, but rather than look generally homeless for no reason other than beards are awesome I've decided to do it for charity...

On the 1st of January I shaved it all off, having no fur on my face in one way or another for the first time in about 15 years..  I felt naked, well worse than naked, I actually like being naked...  The kids didn't recognise me and Faye hated it....  

Everyday I will be taking a photo to assemble into a timelapse of beard growth at the end..

So... Please, please, please can you donate money, as little or as much as you can, either monthly as I pass the monthly milestones, half way through or even at the end if I make it...  I'll need all the encouragement I can especially when I rapidly lose that cool hipster image and deteriorate into unwashed hobo as the months pass...

Support so far has been overwhelming, and for that I thank you all.  Here is a poem my lovely Aunt Lynn wrote in support of my goal:

My face is clean no beard you see
Just asking for a donation that's my plea
From January to December my beard it will grow
So let's hope the money will abundantly flow
To support teenagers on a life changing path
To restore confidence,enjoy life and laugh
To raise what I can that is my quest
So please try everyone and do your best
By Cheque, by card or give us a shout
I'm sure you will of that I have no doubt
So I thank you now before I start
Knowing that all of you have played your part

The charity I will be donating to, is called Climbing Out. Here is the information from their website but please feel free to visit it and check out all the great work they do rebuilding young peoples confidence after life changing illness or injury.

Climbing Out works with young people facing life changing injuries and illnesses, running 5 day residential outdoor activity programmes that aim to help the young people taking part regain their confidence and self esteem, and to provide them with the opportunity to realise what they can still achieve, despite the challenges they face.