Staveley magician's beard to undergo vanishing act for cancer charity

Brendon Selley is having his beard shaved off later in the year. Picture by Anne Shelley.

Brendon Selley will have his beard of 25 years shaved off to aid Macmillan Cancer Support.

Brendon’s father David, 72, has sadly been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has received wonderful support from Macmillan.

“Dad was diagnosed with stage stage four bowel cancer, which has now spread to his liver, lymph nodes and lungs,” said 42-year-old Brendon, of Gratton Court, Staveley.

“The local Macmillan staff have been incredible and continue to be so.

“Macmillan Cancer Support are here to help you find your best way through from the moment of diagnosis, so you’re able to live life as fully as you can.

“With this in mind, I decided that I needed to do something to repay their kindness.

“After much thought and soul-searching, I realised that it may be time to unveil a part of my body that has not been seen in public since 1993 – my chin.

David Selley during his appearance on the Hacker and Friends show on CBBC a couple of Christmases ago. Picture submitted.

“My fundraising target is provisionally set at £1,000 – we’re over halfway there already – and if I get to £2,000 then I’m prepared to shave my head too.”

Brendon said he has been allowing his beard to grow long for nearly four years.

He added: “I’m going down as far as stubble as the difference in shade between my chin and the rest of my face will be quite telling, having been covered for 25 years. It’ll certainly be cold!”

“It'll certainly be cold!”

Brendon, who is also a former wrestler and has appeared on TV and in some films, said the beard runs in his family.

“My father has performed as Santa all around the country as well as on the CBBC show Hacker and Friends, and is on ITV every Christmas in the post ad break bumpers,” he explained.

Brendon has set up a JustGiving page where people can donate – visit it at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brendon-selley He will brave the shave either on Halloween or at the beginning of November and has thanked everyone for their support.

For more details about Macmillan Cancer Support and the help offered by the charity, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call 0808 808 00 00.