FORMER Devizes Cricket Club chairman Richard Read did not lose face when he had to go through with his challenge of having his moustache shaved after nearly 40 years.
Mr Read, 63, promised to have his prized facial hair cut to raise money for the Forever Friends Appeal at the Royal United Hospital, Bath. On Saturday night surrounded by family and friends he went through with the Tashoff dare.
The music night raised around £2,260 for the appeal which is supporting a new cancer unit.
Mr Read of Nursteed Park, Devizes, was diagnosed with cancer a year ago but is now been given the all clear and wanted to help the appeal that has a target of £8.5 million. Mr Read said: "I have known my wife Kim for 38 years and she has never seen me without a moustache. Raising money for the appeal is my way of saying thank you for the tremendous care I got at the RUH."
He was delighted with the turnout for a music evening at Devizes Sports Club which featured the moustache shave part way through the evening.
He said: "Thanks to all those magnificent human beings who came along to the Tashoff. It is a bit chilly under the nasal region but it is a small price to pay for the overwhelming support I received."
During his chemotherapy for diffuse large b-cell lymphoma his moustache thinned but he still retained the distinctive feature. But he decided the new cancer unit appeal deserved his help and thought having his moustache shaved would be the ultimate sacrifice.
He lined up bands Shades Of Blue and Zero Return to play and gained sponsorship from Mikey's Barber Shop for the big shave. He said: "Devizes Town Crier Marcus Hopgood won the auction by bidding £40 and started the shave which was then finished professionally by Will Baine of Mikey's barbers shop."
His fundraising started earlier this year when when Mr Read, who is secretary of the Wadworth darts league, staged a tournament at The Cavalier and made £416. Then on June 4 he held a darts exhibition evening with professional player Andy Smith at The Cavalier and raised several hundred pounds more.
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