‘Emotional night’ for Nairn photographer as he raises more than £3000 to support cancer charity
More than £4000 has been raised by a photographer and “lifelong beardyman” who underwent a public head shaving at the weekend.
The Bandstand pub in Nairn was filled to the brim with friends and supporters of music photography stalwart Marc Marnie who also parted with his beard - which he has not shaved off since he was 17 - to raise money for cancer support charity Maggie’s Highlands.
It was an emotional night as the barber did his work, as Marc decided to take the step having been diagnosed with throat cancer in September.
He said he was incredibly pleased with the results of the fundraiser, which smashed the original target of £500 and with donations still being counted.
“It was an incredible night,” he said. “I am so grateful to see so many people turning up…I only wish the same amount turned up to see my band when we are playing!”
Marc also took a seat at the drums for the evening, playing with other local musicians in the popular Bandstand’s Sunday sessions.
“When I was told ‘the beard has to go’, that was the single scariest thing of all!” Marc added. “I haven’t seen my face since I was 17.
“Then I thought I could do something with this. After I shared the news of my diagnosis, seeing all those people saying ‘what can I do to help?’ made me think that if everyone donated even just a pound a lot of money could be raised for a good cause.”
Setting up an online fundraiser it received £500 in donations overnight.
Marc, now in his sixties, has a history of embracing his fear, from taking pictures hanging from the top of the Forth Bridge despite being scared of heights, to scuba diving with sharks whilst barely knowing how to swim.
“Saying ‘yes’ is the first stage,” he said when asked about facing the fear of what lies ahead.
“Once you have said yes to something a lot of the fear dissipates. And I decided a long time ago that I would say yes to new experiences as much as I can - within the boundaries of sanity.
“You don’t have a choice when you are told you have cancer - I think that with this it feels like I said yes somewhere along those lines.
“I think that with this I am paddling in shallow water and it will get a lot deeper.
“The brutal fact is that I know I may not survive it, although I expect to. It’s going to be hell and I can’t wait to get started.
“Gotta do it anyway, might as well make it positive. As I always say, if it’s not fun, I am doing it wrong.”
Anyone wishing to support Mark’s fundraiser can still do so via his Just Giving page.
