Beard off for charity

You could be forgiven for mistaking Malcolm Yorston as requiring some elves to help him out at the moment.

But his likeness to Santa Claus is about to change when he has his beard shaved off to raise money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.

The fundraiser – just visit https://lbc-community-fundraising.raisely.com/malc-yorston to donate – is his contribution to a cause that’s important to him, supporting cancer patients.

Yorston’s late wife Brenda had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. It’s a form of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.

Over six years, Brenda had numerous courses of chemotherapy. She also contracted severe toxoplasmosis due to her compromised immune system and passed away in January 2023. 

We’ll let Yorston, who is technical support of the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association, take up the story in his own words from here.

“Our daughters Lana, Kristie and Tai and I took Brenda’s ashes with us to Scotland for her 70th birthday last November.

“The last day I shaved was the day we flew out. Now I’m going to shave my beard on what would have been Brenda’s 71st birthday to raise money in her memory to go towards leukaemia research.

“In January of this year Brenda’s cousin’s daughter, Brydie, passed away with acute myeloid leukaemia, so this is a cause that’s close to my heart.

“Did you know that eight Kiwis – adults and children – are diagnosed with blood cancer each day? One day, it could be someone you love on the receiving end of that diagnosis. One day it could even be me or you.

“That’s why I’m doing my bit to support research for more effective treatments to save lives and to ensure people with cancer get the support they need. You can do your bit too by donating to my fundraiser.”

Yorston has set himself a target of $25,000 and it would be great if the automotive industry in New Zealand helped his drive to that total. 

To make a donation, visit https://lbc-community-fundraising.raisely.com/malc-yorston and click on the donate button. You will be emailed a receipt and your support will show up on his page unless you decide to donate anonymously. Many thanks in advance.