A SHIPTON GORGE farmer is preparing for a close shave after pledging to cut his beard off to raise cash for Cancer Research UK.

Stephen Symes, 52, from Lynch Farm, near Bridport, will be shaving his beard off for charity after living with it for 25 years.

He said his challenge will see him making a big change, adding: “It was always a joke every year in my family, they would like to see me without a beard and my mother has been saying I need to get my hair cut since I was a schoolboy.

“I said I would cut it off for charity and my daughters held me to it as they have never seen me without a beard.”

He added: “I’m a bit nervous - I reckon it will feel a bit different, especially if it’s a bit cold outside.”

Mr Symes said the cause is close to his heart as one of his friends was recently diagnosed with the illness.

“With cancer, it’s not necessarily a case of if you get it but when, and it makes you stop and think that the more they can spend on research to find a cure or provide good treatment, the better,” he said.

Alongside the sponsored beard shave, which is taking place at the Spyway Inn on April 2, there will also be a charity raffle on the evening and around 50 people are expected to attend.

Mr Symes explained: “We have been round our suppliers for the farm and lots of people have donated or given prizes for the raffle.”

Raffle prizes include a hamper from the Dorset Gourmet Hotdog Company, a £50 Bartletts voucher, meat vouchers from Maydown, Manor Court and Out of Town farm shops, a Bosch kettle from Peach Electrical, MOT vouchers from Top Gear Bridport and Burton Bradstock Cars, a voucher from Bredy Veterinary Centre, overalls and screwdrivers from Buglers and more.

Having already raised £400, Mr Symes said they are well on the way to reaching their £500 target, but they hope to break that target to donate as much as they can to such a worthy cause and hope the raffle will help them reach their fundraising goal.

Mr Symes’ wife, his children Jessica, Sam and Joby and his friends have all pulled together to support him in his challenge.

He said: “There are going to be quite a few people there on the night and I reckon it’s going to break our target.”

To donate to Mr Symes’ challenge or for more information, visit justgiving.com/StephenSymes or call Mr Symes on 01308 897570.