The face behind Steve Price’s beard had not seen daylight for over 53 years. It has now been sheared, but fundraising continues for 3 marvellous charities that are helping the treatment and care of Steve’s young grandson Eifion in his fight against cancer.

In March 2021 Eifion was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma and his treatment is a combination of chemotherapy in Cardiff and proton beam therapy in Manchester.

The three charities we are raising funds for are:

• LATCH, Elusen Canser Plant Cymru / Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity;

• Noah’s Ark, Elusen Ysbyty Plant / Children’s Hospital Charity; and

• The Christie Charity.

When making donations please note that in 'Team Members' below our three chosen charities are each a separate Team Member. Unfortunately in that section it is not possible to name them differently. It would be great if donations can be made such that at the end of the fund raising each charity has received about the same amount.

The initial fundraising target was £100 per beard-year (that’s £5300). After the total had rapidly climbed to over £11,000 Eifion took great delight in shearing and shaving his Tad-cu / Grandad. Photos of the beard-off event and the resulting chin are posted below for all to see! Including Steve’s wife who had never known him beardless. However £5300 was just for starters, these wonderful charities need all the help they can get.

Every year around 70 children from South and Mid-Wales who are diagnosed with cancer are treated by the Noah’s Ark Oncology Unit. LATCH supports the children and their families who are being treated there, including on-site family accommodation and social worker support. The Christie Charity provides enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds, making a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families. This includes the high-energy proton beam therapy which is now available to treat children like Eifion.

John Williams unfortunatley had to cancel his planned involvement in an Iron Man Event. Nevertheless his very generous supporters still wanted the money so far raised, £505.00 in total, to go to charity and it was donated to The Christie.

What a tremendous response there was at Combs Charity Music Night. With live music by the local band ‘Recover’, the DJ Nick Glynn, catering by Kemps and a well staffed and well stocked bar the dancing and revelry continued well into the small hours. The effort and the generosity of everyone involved in planning, running, donating to, attending and raising their hands at the auction is so appreciated.

Ticket sales, bar takings, donations and some very enthusiastic bidding in the auction raised the amazing sum of £6,600.00 for distribution to Latch, Noah’s Ark and The Christie.

The annual charity fun day of Sennybridge Young Farmers Club was this year raising funds for our 3 chosen charities. Members, family and friends gathered at the football field for a full afternoon of activities and challenges.

Eifion’s school, Ysgol Gymraeg Ystelafera, organised an Eifion Day / Dydd Eifion, a sports activity day to raise funds for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity / Elusen Ysbyty Plant. Year 7 students were joined by players from The Ospreys and The Swans. Thoroughly enjoyed by all, the event raised a magnificent total of just under £1000 which went directly to Noah’s Ark.

A short, but very sharp, fell race organised by Goyt Valley Striders attracted 65 entrants and was accompanied by a Cake Stall and Water Table. In race entrance fees and generous donations for cakes and water over £750 was raised for Latch. Cakes were kindly provided by Combs village residents; catering bags by Tooks Catering Supplies; and Buxton Water by Nestlé.

Stella and Family and their 5k Dash - Thanks very much to the supporters of Stella and family for their generous donations given through this page to Noah's Ark Charity.

"With the fund-raising total at over £11,000 and with Eifion ready to join battle the Beard-Off is all set to go......."

" at the pre-match line-up both are looking ready for action."

"...and at this crucial stage of the game it looks like the scrum-half has skinned the aged second-row"

"....at half-time, with all to play for, it's looking very much 50:50"

"..... here we are at the end of the game; and with the £11,000 beard blowing around the yard we see a real sporting gesture of mutual appreciation for a game well played."