to beard, or not to beard?

That is the question.

It’s a question that our deputy creative director, Mike Griffiths, has once again answered with a range of show-stopping beards to raise money for a brilliant cause.

In 2015, Mike raised over £1,400 getting coverage across both local and national press thanks to his beard grooming expertise. So for the second year running, Mike has taken on the Decembeard challenge in aid of Beating Bowel Cancer, and caused a stir on his commute to Manchester from Warrington.

In the same vein as other such hair inspired charity themes, Movember and Januhairy to name a few, December sees Beating Bowel Cancer roll out their Decembeard campaign. Decembeard encourages those who are game to grow or wear and decorate a beard for a month leading up to Christmas.

This year, Mike decided to tackle the 12 days of Christmas as a loose theme for his grooming expertise, putting his own spin on things. That’s right, 12 whole days of growing and dressing up facial fuzz to help raise awareness and funds for Beating Bowel Cancer, the support and campaigning charity.

12 days of bearded Christmas

On the 1st day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: 1 big kiss

On the 2nd day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: 2 googly eyes

On the 3rd day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: 3 potted plants

On the 4th day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: 4 dusty boxes

On the 5th day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: 5 shiny points

On the 6th day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: a 6 ft spruce

On the 7th day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: 7 Christmas fragrances

On the 8th day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: 8 Million sparkles

On the 9th day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: 9 Christmas characters

On the 10th day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: 10 Roses

On the 11th day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: 11 ft of Lametta

On the 12th day of Christmas, Decembeard sent to me: a 12 Volt shine

From glitter and tinsel to mistletoe and candles, Mike’s beard has drawn laughs, stares and most importantly, raised awareness for a fantastic campaign.

From glitter and tinsel to mistletoe and candles, Mike’s beard has drawn laughs, Tweets and most importantly, raised awareness of a fantastic campaign.

The fundraising didn’t end there though. At the Seventy7 internal launch event on 27th January, Mike was called to the stage by the charity committee. As he sheepishily made his way to the front of the room (hard to imagine when you consider the beards he sported in December), the stage AV quickly updated to show Mike’s 12 beards of Christmas.

No sooner had he took to centre stage, than a giant cheque was produced and handed to him. £500 to add to his Decembeard total, with lots of love from Seventy7. Rapturous applause filled the room as Mike humbly accepted and tried to escape the spotlight.

We can’t wait to see what Mike and his colleagues have in-store for us this year, but for now you can take a look at what Mike’s been up to on his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Griff-Decembeard-2016

Click here to learn more about @Decembeard_UK and start planning your looks for 2017.