The verdict is in for 50-year-old, Jason McNamara.
Ipswich has concluded, the beard must go. Not because they don’t like it, but because he has reached his goal of raising more than $5,000 for specialised Breast Cancer care and equipment at West Moreton Health.
The photographer turned real estate agent opened the fundraising account on the Ipswich Hospital Foundation page on Thursday October 14, and in less than 24 hours, he had not only reached his original $3,000 goal, but he also exceeded it.
Jason then pushed his goal to $5,000 which again, he has exceeded.
Now, he’s aiming to raise $6,000 by the end of November.
“My little sister, Emma has been diagnosed with breast cancer, so I thought I’d do my bit, you know, shave off what I’m known for, my brand,” said Jason.
“I am blown away by the support from my friends and family, every cent counts.
“But either they want to see me without a beard, or they connect with the cause and know how important it is.
“So, I guess it’s happening. It’s coming off.”
But it seems Jason is no stranger to raising funds for important causes.
In 2015, Jason created a ‘Beards of Ipswich,’ calendar where he took photos of those with outstanding beards in the city and cultivated them into a calendar.
All proceeds were donated to Beyond Blue.
In an interview with Studio Ten, Jason said, the reason he chose Beyond Blue was that he had friends and family who had been affected by depression.
“So, I thought why I don’t I do something where I could raise some money and bring awareness to it,” he said.
“I wanted to bring awareness to a serious issue in a not so serious way.”
And again, Jason is delighted to be raising funds in a “not so serious way” for the Ipswich community.
Jason is now aiming to raise $6,000 by the end of November.
The anticipated beard shave will take place at the end of November via a Facebook livestream.
“My sister Emma will do the shave and my barber will finish it off,” Jason said.
To donate to Jason’s fundraiser,visit: ihfoundation.grassrootz.com/go-pink/jason-mcnamara
Go Pink to fund specialised equipment for breast cancer care at West Moreton Health
Support is still needed for local breast cancer patients and choosing to ‘Go Pink’ with the Hospital Foundation is a great way to show support locally.
“I’m encouraging our community to ‘Go Pink’ with the Hospital Foundation this Breast Cancer Awareness Month to fund specialised equipment for breast cancer care at West Moreton Health,” Mr Sturges said.
“We need the support of our community and local businesses more than ever to raise much-needed funds for specialised equipment for breast cancer care at West Moreton Health.”
“With your support, we can make a local difference to the care of breast cancer patients in our community with new specialised equipment.”
“There are so many ways you can ‘Go Pink’ and make a local difference; like attending one of the many Go Pink Events, holding your own Wig & Wine evening like Ipswich Quota or simply donating online,” Mr Sturges said.
