One man, one beard, 365 days for charity
Impala Park resident Sandon Mienie decided to do something different and eye-catching for a good cause.
He grew his beard and never shaved it for 365 days, in support of the Little Fighters Cancer Trust.
He finally shaved on April 21, this year.
“I started growing my beard on April 20, last year, but have never been so extreme as to let it grow for an entire year,” said Mienie.
“I thought to grow a bear was a good way to get people’s attention and place focus on those kids who can never live a life like we enjoy.”
Mienie saw an advert on TV about the Little Fighters Cancer Trust, and the fact that there is cancer in his family served as motivation for his start to the beard campaign.
At first, many people laughed off his efforts, but, as time progressed and the beard grew thicker and longer, they started taking note and listening to what he had to say about children’s fight against cancer.
His friends and family soon realised that he is not going to give up, and started pledging to donate R1 for every day he kept his beard, thinking he would never make the full year.
But the 26-year-old married father of two (daughter Tayla and son Carter) stuck to his guns and now those who supported him need to donate R365 directly into LFCT’s bank account.
“People made many comments about my beard, including that I looked dirty and stupid, but it all opened the door for me to tell them about the plight of children with cancer,” he said.
His wife, Cindy, also showed her support, encouraging him to endure until the end.
On the lighter side of things, he said life with a long beard is different, to say the least.
“It is a challenge from washing and brushing, just so I don’t look like a total caveman, to being aware of where it is with regards to zips or my son Carter’s little hands.”
Mienie said his campaign wasn’t on social media, but all his friends and family have shared news of it it and are trying to get more people involved.
He doesn’t not know how much money his campaign has raised at the moment, but will be keeping a close eye on it.
Mienie would like to encourage more people to do something to assist organisations, from growing a beard to fun walks, as every little thing can change lives.
Asked if he would do it again, he said: “Seeing the impact it made and the messages I have received, I would start growing again without a problem.”
Anyone who would like to thank Sandon for his efforts or fall in with a R1 per day donation, they are most welcome. People can deposit their R365 directly into LFCT’s bank account.
Account Name: Little Fighters Cancer Trust; First National Bank (Paarl Mall), account number 62277783249 and branch code 50057. Reference DONORNAME+OFF
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