Whitnash man’s blue beard raises funds for the air ambulance

So the keen cyclist has been collecting sponsorship to donate to the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance for his beard-growing efforts over the past year - and to make it more bizarre, he has dyed it blue.

Steve, who works as a data centre technician at Wolesley UK in Leamington, said: “I started growing a beard at the start of November last year in preparation for a party at the end of the month - I was part of a group dressing up as Abba. My friends said I should keep growing it, so I decided to do it for charity.

“Being a mountain biker, I hear stories all the time of cyclists being rescued by the air ambulance and friends of mine have been injured and airlifted to hospital. I think it’s a great cause and we are so lucky to have this service for free.”

Steve’s wife Kim told the Courier that she “cannot wait until the awful thing has been shaved off”, but what does Steve think about his year-old beard?

He said: “I hate it! For the first six months, it was interesting to see the growth process.

“It has grown really fast - a lot of people cannot believe I have only had it for a year. It’s now got a bit out of hand - it’s like having a bit woolly hat on the end of your face. Generally not nice.

“My dog likes to chew on it. Both Kim and I will be glad to see the back of it.

“But it’s got me talking to people and most have been really supportive.”

And because his friends said they would increase their sponsorship if he dyed it, following in the footsteps of actor Billy Connelly who dyed his beard purple a few years ago, Steve’s beard is now blue.

The beard will be shaved off at Just Ian’s in Whitnash on Sunday (November 1). To sponsor Steve, visit: www.justgiving.com/Steveadams220