Hi everyone, I've decided to do my own version of Movember* this year in memory of my dad Peter and my granny Jean - my mum's mum.

Granny died at the age of 91 in January 2010 after a short illness, while Dad in August of that year at the age of 56. He had been diagnosed with kidney cancer 11 months earlier. Dad and Granny are both fondly remembered and very much missed.

I'll be shaving off my beard and moustache on October 31st and spending the month of November growing a magnificent** moustache.

Dad sported a 'tache in his younger days though he was more of a goatee man later in life, so I'm pretty sure he'd approve.

I'll be raising money for a charity that means a lot to us as a family – Marie Curie, who provide care for people with terminal illnesses. Granny was a Marie Curie nurse, and when Dad was ill at home in his final weeks, they were a great support for him and Mum.

I'll be charting my progress with daily updates on Instagram and Facebook, so feel free to come and laugh at my lip fuzz there.

Thanks in advance for your support - every little bit helps.

Chris

*This isn't an official Movember fundraiser but if you would like to support the Movember Foundation and their work for men's health, visit movember.com

**Magnificence not guaranteed