Shave it or dye it - it’s up to you!

The charity (UCF) in partnership with BT, is challenging men across the borough to shave or dye their hair to raise cash for this year’s men’s health campaign.

The charity is asking offices and workplaces, pubs, hair salons and sports clubs as well as individuals across the region to get involved in the fun event and do their bit for men’s health.

Launching the fundraiser, Joyce Savage, UCF’s head of appeals and marketing, said: “We are throwing down the gauntlet to men and are calling on them to get the chop or add a little colour to their lives for this worthy cause.

“You can go for a Number One all over, a red Mohican, or Coco the Clown tufts on the side of your head, whatever takes your fancy. You could do a lot worse than follow the example of David Beckham and give yourself a whole new look and raise cash for UCF at the same time.

“Cancer has a major impact on the health of men in Northern Ireland. Each year almost 6,000 men here are diagnosed with some form of the disease – that’s a shocking 22 men every working day. Around 2,000 lose their lives to cancer each year.

“The money we raise will go towards helping cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland and will fund services including support groups, counselling, health checks and advice, education programmes, smoking cessation clinics, Male Quick Fit sessions, art and creative writing therapy.”

It is only £10 to register for ‘Shave or Dye’ and all the charity asks is that you raise a minimum of £50 sponsorship. Once you have registered, you will be sent a pack which will include an iconic ‘Shave or Dye’ T-shirt, poster, sponsorship details plus information about men’s health and how/where the money raised will be spent.

Remember to encourage your friends to get in on the action by posting your new hair-raising image on your Facebook page along with donation details.

If you would like to join in the fun or make a donation, log on to ulstercancer.org/shave-or-dye or facebook.com/shaveordyeni. Email Sarah at [email protected] or call 9068 0765 for more details.