Movember effort after friend's death

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Dunedin man Jim Billyard displays his beard, grown for Movember, and the money he has raised for men's health. photo by Linda Robertson.

He, like thousands of other men around New Zealand and the world, stopped shaving on November 1 and yesterday displayed a fully fledged moustache and beard.

After a friend died of prostate cancer, he thought it would be a good idea to join in on the annual, month-long event - Movember.

The event raises money for and highlights men's health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression.

His wife Bev, who had been out of town, said she got a shock when she saw him for the first time after he started growing his beard as she did not know he had planned to join the campaign.

Mr Billyard, a resident at Marne Street Hospital, used to have a beard but she said "he was very vain" and shaved it off as soon as the "greys appeared".

He received support from family, friends, and hospital staff for his cause.

He was proud of what he had achieved and was not sure when he would shave his whiskers, if indeed he would get rid of them.

ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz [2]