Cleckheaton firm in hair-raising challenge

Clough and Company’s Roger Thompson, Duncan Smith, Liam Matthews and Tom Conway took part in the nationwide Decembeard campaign in honour of Neil Gash, who died in 2013.

Roger said: “We started growing our beards at the start of the month and celebrated the New Year by shaving them off!

“Despite the initial itchy first stages, it was an easy way of raising money for charity and we gained plenty of support from our families, friends and work colleagues.

“Bowel Cancer is the UK’s second biggest killer, so we were keen to take part in Bowel Cancer UK’s hairy challenge and help support the invaluable work of the charity.”

On average, more than 40,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year – and more than 15,000 people die of the disease in the UK over the same period. One in 14 men and one in 19 women have a lifetime risk of developing it.

Decembeard was started in 2011 by Chris Evans, who joked on Twitter about doing it after missing Movember – November’s moustache-growing equivalent.

Alison Selfe, a Beating Bowel Cancer supporter, immediately replied, asking him to do it for the charity, because she knew his father had died of the disease.

Centurion Way-based Clough and Company’s managing partner Nigel Bullas said: “Everyone here donated to the cause and the beards became a big talking point in the office and with clients! I am sure even more of us will join in next year.”