Andrew Ferguson - NZ Bearded Champion needs some help

New Zealand Beard Champion 2017 and New Zealand Beard freestyle Champion 2018, Andrew Ferguson, needs our help. He has recently been diagnosed with the big Cheese. Although he is taking it on the chin...and that is literal, his famous whiskers have to go, there is his young family to consider.

The cancer is in his neck…(don’t say it). We’re in the early stages of diagnoses and the primary source has yet to be found. His tonsils are coming out, and a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been prescribed.

Andrew will turn his daily visits to oncology into rollicking yarns, telling tales and insightfully, misguided treatises into the condition of our beautiful country’s political and social structures, but there will be a toll.

Having recently moved city for a new job, the families support network and his sickness benefits are limited. Funds are tight and as much as his unique personality and force of nature will protect his wife, Karen, and his three children, Lachlan 10, Isabel 7, and Aiden 4, the inevitable pressure and draining unknowing will make this tough situation all the more worse.

To those who know him; to those who have ever touched that beard, or admired it from afar; those who respect the ink and those who would care to ease suffering, this page is asking you to give what you can, no matter what.

The money will go to Andrew and his family for whatever they need. It might be flowers for Karen to brighten her day when things look gloomy; it might be a happy meal for the kids (don’t judge) when dad doesn’t have the stamina to play; it might help towards groceries when the salary stretches over too many unpaid leave days; it might cover the rent, so they can focus on getting well; it might be a cheeky cider to help them come to terms with the disease and life without the champion beard.

Thank-you for reading this far and considering to help us, help Andrew and his family on their journey. Anything you can offer will be a great help.

We want to hear the story Andrew’s tells that begins, “Did I ever tell you about the time I had cancer?”