Grow A Beard For Gorry 2009

Date : October 2009

Event host : Lou Challoner & Leah Gorry

Venue : O2 & all over!

The Event : In October 2009 the team started to harass the guys at O2 again....this time decided we wanted the guys to get hairy. 'Grow a beard for Gorry 2009' was planned very quickly and the response from O2 and also Marks close friends and family was amazing. Within days of the initial idea Lou and Jo had sponsorship forms out to all the guys interested in taking part and there was a great buzz in the air that so many people could help out this great cause by getting hairy.

As the 1st November crept up everyone was talking about how well the boys would cope with the itching and being hairy for a whole month some of them even had their doubts as to whether they would cope.

On the 30th October all the guys had their final shave and the growing began. Within a few days there were complaints of itchiness from the guys, and women complaining about the stubbly faces on the blokes! This did not deter the guys and all involved managed to stay hairy for the whole month of November.

As you are aware Mark sadly passed away on the 29h November. A number of the guys decided to extend the event and keep their beards until after Marks funeral.

When the boys decided to shave off their beards they did a number of bizarre things with their hairy faces such as dying them, shaving patterns and leaving moustaches. There are some before and after pictures on our facebook page so please have a look.

Due to the success of this event we hope to make 'Grow a Beard for Gorry' an annual event. There are some before and after pictures on our facebook page so please have a look.

Amount raised for MGF : £3512.90 has been raised to date. £1473 of this was raised by O2 staff and their O2 matching scheme takes the overall total to £4985.90