MY first cricket coach died from bowel cancer and as a consequence my awareness of this disease increased greatly.

He was a wonderful man who, along with his family, became a great friend and that is why I became a patron of Bowel Cancer UK, the nation’s leading bowel cancer research charity.

I am encouraging sons, dads, brothers, uncles, nephews and granddads to join together this Decembeard and show their support for the charity.

The rules are simple – just clean shave on November 30 and let your facial hair flourish throughout the month of December.

Already bearded? No problem.

Dye, ditch or decorate your beard and join the campaign.

More than 44 people die from bowel cancer every day in the UK. It is the nation’s second biggest cancer killer.

However it shouldn’t be. It is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.

Taking part is easy.

Sign up at bowelcanceruk.org.uk/ decembeard.

Chris Read

Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club captain and former England player