Rich Bingham's bowel cancer story came sadly to an end on August 30th this year after an incredibly resilient and brave 4 1/2 years. He had found the strength to get through more than 50 chemotherapy sessions, countless operations and other interventions - and a life turned on its head. Yet somehow, right to the end, he almost invariably managed to see the positives.

This December, I am bringing together as many as possible of his friends, relatives and supporters to celebrate him by raising money for a charity so dear to his heart. He was very attached to his beard in every sense and over recent years became the 'face of' the annual Decembeard campaign.

So if you are male (or female with an impressive party trick) we would love you to ditch the razor for the month of December, and raise money for the cause. If you already have a beard, be imaginative - dye, decorate or reshape it!

It's been an especially tough year for charities. this could potentially be a real shot in the arm for the UK's leading charity for the UK's second biggest cancer killer. It's a surprisingly small charity for a huge disease.

Thank you! Now tuck that razor safely into the bathroom cabinet.