Dundee FC get fans to support Beards for Bairns

Dundee FC have backed a bid to get men to hang up their razors this winter and grow, or style, a beard to help raise money for sick children.

The Dark Blues visited Ninewells Hospital to give out gifts to children on the wards but also took time to promote The ARCHIE Foundation’s Beards for Bairns campaign.

From Christmas Day until January 25, husbands, partners, brothers, dads, uncles, cousins and friends are being rallied to raise vital funds as the £2 million fundraising target for the children’s theatre suite draws ever closer.

The campaign is being supported by The Dee who encouraged others to sign up.

Defender Darren O’Dea said: “We were delighted to show our support for such a great cause.

“Hopefully it encourages our supporters to get behind it.”

Linda Meiklejohn, fundraising coordinator at The ARCHIE Foundation Tayside, said: “It’s fantastic to have Dundee FC on board with the Beards for Bairns campaign.

“It’s great that high-profile players are involved and hopefully that will encourage fellow Dees to grow a beard all in aid of the Tayside Children’s Hospital appeal.”

“It’s not just for the guys either, this year we’re looking to get as many women and children involved too. They might not be able to grow their own beards, but they can enlist someone who can with our Nominate a Mate campaign.

“Our flyer has a list of styles to help inspire our heroic fundraisers. Tick the style you’d like to see your nominee grow and if they accept, we ask you to donate £10 to their fundraiser. If they decline, they’re asked to donate to ARCHIE as a forfeit.”

Participants can sign up individually or part of a team at http://www.beardsforbairns.org.uk/.