When the UK wide ‘Lockdown’ commenced in March 2020, I thought to myself “Well, as I’ll not be going out for a few weeks I don’t need to bother with daily shaving or getting a haircut for a while"  Roll on 18 months and I’ve still neither shaved nor had my hair cut once, not even having bothered when barbers were allowed to open, both a haircut & shave are now long overdue….

Not long into lockdown I decided to try and ensure that some good would come out of the hair growth so decided that I’d do a beard and head shave for charity. I’ve chosen to support Doddie Weirs ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation' for several reasons. 

Firstly, ever since Doddie revealed in June 2017 that he had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, Doddie has been inspirational in how he has faced his illness, establishing his Foundation to both support those suffering from MND and also to fund research into the condition. The Foundation does excellent work and is very worthy of support.

Secondly, ever since I became tetraplegic due a rugby injury, myself and my family have been very grateful for the support I’ve received from the rugby fraternity, so I was keen to be able to try and help out another member of the rugby community.

Thirdly, when Wales & Ireland were to play in the 2009 Grand Slam decider in Cardiff I didn’t have a ticket, then the day before the match I got a call from the Welsh Rugby Union that an Accessible Ticket set was available due to the holder who was an Ireland fan being unable to attend. I rang the contact, and spoke with the ticket holders wife, and it transpired they were unfortunately unable to attend due her husbands MND. She kindly met me just outside Belfast to give me the tickets and after rushing home to frantically book 'plane, trains & automobile', I managed to get over to Cardiff the next morning and attended the match with my brother, who I'd met at Paddington Station en route. I will always be thankful to the couple for making the tickets available to me when they couldn't attend.

So - in approximately 10 days/2 weeks from now I’ll be getting my beard and hair shaved off and any sponsorship & support would be greatly appreciated. I’ll be posting updates re. the exact date and photo evidence on the day I go under the razor (or hedgeclippers!)

Attached are a few ‘Timeline’ pics of my beard & hair growth. Firstly a trip shortly before lockdowns (& beard!) were implemented to support Ulster in Clermont with my good mate and former school team mate and until recently Irish TMO, Simon, through various dates including being delighted to be back at both Ravenhill/Kingspan Stadium with wingman Mark, and the Aviva Stadium with Donna and Jennifer Malone, Irelands top fan.

Many thanks for looking at my JustGiving Page…….