A PASTOR at a Bradford church says he is willing to lose his treasured beard to raise money for youngsters to attend a “life-changing” youth camp.

Every Easter, a youth organisation called Rocknations, part of the LIFE Church on Wapping Road, tries to take more than 150 young people, aged 11 to 18, from Bradford and Leeds to Cefn Lea, a conference centre in Mid-Wales.

Andre Lesur, youth pastor at Rocknations, is organising this year’s visit, and has come up with a novel way of trying to raise the £140 sponsorship needed for each child.

He is asking people to make donations towards the trip and nominate whether to ‘save or shave’ his beloved facial hair.

Whichever side raises the highest amount will prompt him to either lose the beard and leave it untouched for another full year.

“In recent months my facial hair growth has come under much criticism and scrutiny!” said Mr Lesur.

“Many have voiced their opinions over their love or incredible dislike of my beard.

“I never fully appreciated the controversy a bit of fluff on my face could cause until now.

“Well, now I’m giving people the opportunity to have their say and in doing so support a phenomenal cause.

“There is a lot at stake, so I’m asking people to put their money where their mouth is!

“I’ve already been absolutely overwhelmed with people’s generosity and shared enthusiasm of doing something crazy for a great cause.

“All the money donated will go towards sponsoring young people to go on camp this April.”

Cefn Lea is set in more than 300 acres of beautiful countryside and provides opportunities for mountain walks, forest trails, nature reserves, and various sporting activities.

Mr Lesur said that for many of the the young people, the trip is their first residential experience, and for some, the first time they have ever left Bradford or Leeds.

“Our aim is to take them out of their context to allow them to dream about their futures and invest in their potential as future world-changers,” he said.

“The trip will provide young people with the opportunity to create memories that we know they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

“Something special happens on youth camps and every year we have gathered young people on similar residential trips and they have returned home forever changed.

“I would love to sponsor as many young people as possible to go on this trip.”

Mr Lesur is aiming to raise at least £2,500 and is already more than a fifth of the way towards that target.

Anyone wishing to donate or find out more about his fundraising should visit www.justgiving.com/andresbeard and indicate their vote for ‘save’ or ‘shave’.

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