Lanarkshire man to chop beard for charity

A Coatbridge resident is to shave off his lengthy beard in aid of cancer charity Maggie’s Lanarkshire after his mother died of lung cancer last year.

Daniel Hamill.

Daniel Hamill has been growing his beard since Boxing Day 2013, with 26 December 2015 the day that his impressive facial growth will be shaved off entirely.

The 26-year-old is supported by father Des, sister Collette and brother Gerard in his fundraising efforts to assist Maggie’s Lanarkshire, based at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.

The family from Coatbridge had first-hand experience with the expert help of Maggie’s after 60 year-old Isabel passed away 18 months ago, and son Daniel is now raising cash to support the team there.

To date, Daniel has raised £1,105 for the charity, eclipsing his original target of £500.

Daniel said: “I wanted to raise awareness of Maggie’s Lanarkshire and let friends and family members of people affected by cancer know that they aren’t alone and there is help there for them in their local community.”

Des, 60, regularly visits Maggie’s and donated a Christmas tree to them this year.

He said: “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the team at Maggie’s Lanarkshire supporting me through the most difficult time of my life.”

While some of us may be fighting the sales on Boxing Day or eating the Christmas Day leftovers, Customer Service Advisor Daniel will be getting his beard removed in Coatbridge’s Columba Club at 2pm.

Daniel’s sister Collette is a Clinical Services Secretary with NHS Lanarkshire. She added: “After Daniel had been growing the beard for a while we told him it was about time he shaved it off. He said he was keeping it but he didn’t tell us why until recently.

“It’s such a great cause, so hopefully more people will sponsor him online or by popping in to Maggie’s with a donation.”

Those wishing to donate to the family’s cause can do so via Daniel’s Crowdfunding page.