A ROTARIAN has been raising a ’beardy bonus’ for his community as he prepares to shave off the facial hair he has sported for 40 years.

Lockdown has hampered the fundraising activities of Bodmin Rotary Club, which would normally include concerts and collections at local events. But in the meantime, the club’s 27 members are aware that organisations such as the Foodbank, the Memory Cafe, the Hospital League of Friends, as well as the vulnerable of all ages, will be more in need than ever before.

Bruce Tyzzer hit upon the idea of shaving off the facial hair that has taken him four decades to nurture to what he calls ’a high Santa standard’.

On August 5, Bruce and his wife, Carol, will set about exposing Bruce’s face to the world once again – and having set out to raise £250, Bruce is now close to raising £1000.

He said: ’ As one clearly in the old fool category I’m not fit enough to run up and down stairs a million times, or unaware enough to scoff 200 pancakes in one go, so I looked for a way to help the Rotary Club that was within my capabilities.

’Since lockdown my relatively manicured hair has grown into a luxuriant beard of which I am quite proud, and I thought I could possibly raise some funds for the Rotary Club by having it removed.

’My wife is not so keen as she says I would look like a Chipmunk without it!’

Fellow Bodmin Rotarians are asking for people to help to make Bruce’s sacrifice (and his wife’s loss) worthwhile. They said: ’Please donate whatever you can to Bruce’s Bodmin Rotary Beard Bonanza page on Go Fund Me and share this link on social media (https://gf.me/u/ydzpp9).

’Bruce is not expecting a knighthood, but he is keen to raise as much as possible.’

For further information about  Bodmin Rotary Club and links to Bruce’s donation page go to the

Bodmin Rotary website at  http://www.bodmin.rotary1175.org.