Recently friends and colleagues have been directly affected by suicide. It has affected my family and the families of close friends. So I thought I'd try and raise money and awareness, but rather than another run or cycle, I felt I needed to do something that you would see as a challenge.

So I'm going to dye me beard bright blue for the month of September. I am a chartered accountant, I sit on charity and chamber of commerce boards, so this will be an interesting experience.

The Samaritans do such a great job in helping those struggling in their lives, I thought it best to do this for them.

So please give something even if it's just a little, so that I can't back out when Emily arrives with the bleaches and dyes in late August.