A LEGAL team’s moustache-growing ability helped to raise thousands of pounds in a charitable tribute to Chester man Tom Arnold.
The Weightmans Solicitors team in Liverpool was one of the main backers of the Taches for Tom campaign, which saw dozens of friends, relatives and colleagues grow a moustache throughout November.
Also getting involved were Tom’s brother Luke and his father John Arnold.
Collectively, the campaign raised £4,500, including £3,500 from Weightmans, and the money raised will fund research at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre into cancer of the oesophagus, which affects part of the digestive system (the long tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach) – an uncommon but serious type of cancer.
Andrew Halpin of Weightmans said: “All of us in the cricket team at Weightmans grew ‘taches’ for our former work colleague Tom. He was a well-liked individual who always had a smile on his face.
“As a way of remembering Tom and to help raise money for research in to oesophageal cancer at Clatterbridge, where Tom was treated, we all got creative with our facial hair and have so far raised almost £3,500.
“This amount is beyond our wildest expectations. We thank everyone who has donated and it is still not to late to do so, please visit www.justgiving.com/ Taches4Tom to support us.”
Jade Barrett, community fundraising manager at the charity, said: “Tom’s family wanted to raise money to fund oesophageal cancer research as the cases in this area are alarming.
“Our research and development team here at Clatterbridge agreed with the family, and have created an oesophageal cancer research project.
“Being led by specialists at Clatterbridge, we aim to further understand this cancer and, with the generous support from Tom’s family and friends, we really can make a difference.”
To donate, email fundraising@clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk or call the charity on 0151 482 7948.
