Celebrities back Decembeard to stop people dying of bowel cancer

Sports broadcaster Jim Rosenthal, celebrity chef Brian Turner CBE and Olympian Carl Hester MBE are encouraging men to grow a beard this December and raise money for the charity.

Taking part in Decembeard is really simple. All you need to do is clean shave on 30 November and let your facial fuzz grow throughout the month. Already bearded? No problem. Dye, ditch or decorate your beard and join the campaign.

More than 23,000 men are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year, making it the third most common cancer in men. It's also the nation's second biggest cancer killer but it shouldn't be, as it's treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.

Olympic gold medallist for Dressage Carl Hester has pledged his support for Decembeard. He says: "I'm thrilled to be supporting Decembeard, which is especially personal to me. I've had polyps removed from my bowel and now have annual check-ups, but the realisation that it could have developed in to bowel cancer really hit me. This disease affects 1 in 14 men – it's a very important cause."

Sports broadcaster Jim Rosenthal agrees: "Dads, brothers, sons, nephews, grandads, uncles – get growing and raise as much as you can. It's easy to do and a great chance to keep your face warm during the winter months!"

Sign up to Decembeard

Decembeard is our annual campaign calling on men to ditch the razor, let their beards grow and raise funds to support our lifesaving work. Join us this December, get growing and raise as much as you can.