St Johnstone FC ditch the razors for ARCHIE beards challenge

Players will grow facial hair for one month

Let’s hope there aren’t too many bottles of aftershave under the St Johnstone FC Christmas tree – because the club is once again lending its support to the ARCHIE Foundation’s annual Beards for Bairns campaign.

Saints players and staff will be ditching their razors for a month to raise money for the local charity’s Tayside Children’s Hospital appeal.

ARCHIE Tayside is asking supporters to nominate husbands, partners, brothers, dads, uncles, cousins and friends to grow a beard from Christmas Day until Burns Night on January 25.

Last year St Johnstone signed up a team for Beards for Bairns which included manager Tommy Wright, team doctor Michael Reidy and head physiotherapist Tony Tompos.

The hirsute heroes raised £2,000 for ARCHIE’S £2 million appeal to build a twin operating theatre suite for the children’s hospital at Ninewells in Dundee.

A club spokesperson said they were proud to support the Beards for Bairns campaign, adding: “Children from across Perth and Kinross visit Tayside Children’s Hospital, so the new operating theatres will make a difference to them and their families.

“The team had good fun last year growing their beards for a month and got a lot of encouragement and sponsorship from friends, family and supporters. We’d encourage everyone to get involved this year too – by growing a beard or nominating someone else.”

ARCHIE head of fundraising Emma White said: “We’re really grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from St Johnstone FC over the last few years. Having them involved has helped us sign up lots more people and we hope this year will be even better.

“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 new Nominate a Mate campaign.”

This year’s campaign features a leaflet with 12 different beard styles so supporters can tick the type they want their nominee to grow and make a donation when the challenge is accepted.

To register text ARCHIE to 70660, visit www.beardsforbairns.org.uk or call 01382 496203.

We’re really grateful for the incredible support we’ve received fromSt Johnstone FCoverthe last few years. ARCHIE HEAD OF FUNDRAISING EMMA WHITE

Picture: Stuart Cowper. St Johnstone players Alan Mannus and Brian Easton with Emma White, the ARCHIE Foundation head of fundraising.