Yes I know I know I know....I came back from that LA holiday in 1998 with a goatee and have had it since. But this is a different kettle of fish. A full beard. And these days it'll be grey not red of course :)

From 1 December I’m giving up shaving for the month to raise funds and, crucially, awareness for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer. It's not a marathon; I'm not claiming it's the biggest challenge ever; it will be itchy for me ....and you (under the mistletoe); but I want you to dig deep please. 

Help them reach their goal of raising £250,000 to fund their work supporting people affected by bowel cancer and raising awareness of the disease, its symptoms (do you know what they are yourself?) and the importance of early diagnosis. 

It's a cause which, for deeply personal reasons, is ever so important to Andrea and to me. Thank you!