Peterborough cancer survivor urges men to ditch the razor and raise charity cash

A Peterborough man is urging men to shun the razor and grow a beard to raise money for charity this winter.
Neil Barker. Pic: Brendan Foster PhotographyNeil Barker. Pic: Brendan Foster Photography
Neil Barker. Pic: Brendan Foster Photography

Neil Barker, 55, from Peterborough, is the face of a national campaign urging men across the country to grow a beard this December and raise money for Bowel Cancer UK.

To take part in ‘Decembeard,’ men should clean shave on 30 November and let your facial fuzz grow throughout the month.

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People with beards are encouraged to Dye, ditch or decorate their beard and raise cash.

Raising awareness of bowel cancer is important to Neil as he was diagnosed with the disease in 2003.

Neil said: “I was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer and after having major surgery and chemotherapy I got the all-clear in 2010. My father wasn’t so lucky and died of stage 4 bowel cancer, after being diagnosed only a month earlier.

“Early diagnosis of the disease gives people a much better chance of survival. I’m encouraging men to sign up for Decembeard to continue the conversation around the disease, increase awareness of symptoms and raise funds to save lives.”

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Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in men in the UK and the nation’s second biggest cancer killer. However it shouldn’t be, as it’s treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.

Save lives this December. Grow a beard and raise funds to support vital services and lifesaving research: bowelcanceruk.org.uk/decembeard