From carefully-sculpted goatees to untamed chin curtains, men across the region have been growing beards and raising thousands of pounds for the Raigmore Children’s Ward Appeal.
The Beards For Bairns sponsored challenge — which finished on Wednesday — was taken up by about 80 men who discarded their razors between Christmas Day and Burns Night.
But at Smithton Primary, in Inverness, there was a different twist to the challenge when pupils turned it into a Bairns With Beards day. They sported fake beards and moustaches to show support for five members of staff who grew their facial hair.
They were depute head David West, teachers Scott Hardie and Colin Hutt, children’s services worker Martin Devlin and active schools co-ordinator Miles Fuller.
Mr West explained the quintet were inspired to take part after reading in The Inverness Courier that Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC players and their manager Terry Butcher had taken up the challenge.
"Consequently, a few of us returned to school after the holidays looking a bit more hirsute than usual," he said.
"I wondered whether having a beard would command a bit more respect and give me a bit more gravitas. But there have been lots of chuckles and giggles!"
The student council subsequently issued their own Bairns With Beards challenge to 300-plus pupils to help boost the school’s fund-raising effort which is expected to reach several hundred pounds.
"I think the appeal is something the children relate to," Mr West said. "Most people have a connection with the children’s ward."
Meanwhile, a team of Inverness firefighters were given special permission to grow facial hair for the challenge.
Although health and safety regulations usually require firefighters using breathing apparatus to be clean-shaven to ensure the equipment works effectively, they were allowed to grow goatee beards which do not affect the apparatus.
Firefighter Mike Bond even dyed his growth bright red. "It has really raised awareness for the appeal," he said.
Six employees at Scottish Provincial Press, publisher of The Inverness Courier, hope to have raised about £1500 after discarding their razors for a month.
Elsewhere, participants have included staff at the Royal Bank of Scotland’s branch in Inverness High Street, police officers, doctors and surgeons, three employees from Nigg-based company, Isleburn, plus many individuals.
The appeal’s fund-raising manager, Allana Mackay, is thrilled by the response.
"I am absolutely overwhelmed to see so many people from the local community participating in this challenge," she said. "The support has been immense.
"So thank you to everyone — you’ve been amazing! Every penny raised will help local sick children and make a real difference here in the Highlands."
The £1 million fund-raising appeal was launched last year by the ARCHIE Foundation in conjunction with The Inverness Courier. The aim is to create a more family-friendly and child-centred children’s ward.
* Buy The Inverness Courier to see more photographs of the Beards For Bairns challengers.
