A WIRRAL man suffering from bowel cancer is "going grizzly" this month to support the Decembeard campaign.

James Hennessey, 34, from Oxton, was diagnosed with the condition in 2014 and is supporting the campaign for the second year running with friends Geoff Marchment and Toby Johnston.

Decembeard asks men to grow a beard throughout the month to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for charity.

James said: “Unfortunately I wasn’t diagnosed early.

“I’d been in pain for over two and a half years, during which time I’d been to my GP multiple times.

“Delays in diagnosis can make all the difference to the prognosis and to the type and amount of surgery and treatment required.

“That’s why I’m so keen to help raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms and to encourage people to get checked out early if they have any symptoms.”

He continued: “I also want to help raise funds for Beating Bowel Cancer as they do some fantastic work supporting bowel cancer patients and their families.

“Spreading awareness of symptoms can save lives so I hope that local men will sign up today and help me make a real difference.

“All you have to do is ditch your razor for the rest of the month and get sponsored to go grizzly for Christmas! What could be easier?”

Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer with more than 41,000 people diagnosed each year but if caught early more than 90% of cases can be treated successfully.

To support James, Geoff and Toby’s fundraising efforts visit justgiving.com/wethreebeards or text STBB73 and the amount you would like to donate to 70070.