Earlier this month, we reported on Ed Bushnell's efforts to grow his beard for a year for charity.

Mr Bushnell is growing his beard to raise money for Crathie Opportunity Holidays (COH) - the charity of which he is chairman - which provides four self-catering cottages for people with a range of disabilities.

"After the article put in the Piper recently about my beard, I got a letter from a person that wanted to remain anonymous," said Ed.

"It said 'Hello Ed, you know me from past times but I wish to remain anonymous.' The person said they were interested to hear about my efforts for my charity. He or she also supports charity and felt it would give me a little boost towards the target.

"When I opened up the envelope, there was £300, which now takes my fundraising over £2,500. I've been trying to think who it could be from and would like to thank them - and everyone else who has contributed - for their generosity."

Ed was issued with the challenge of growing his beard at the start of the year by two friends who said they would sponsor him not to touch his beard until December 31.

Having had a short and tidy beard for seven or so years, Ed was only too happy to accept the challenge but recently said he would be glad to lose it at the end of the year, as it was currently more than five inches long.

Since the letter's arrival, Ed has been racking his brain trying to work out who it was from.

"It came in a brown envelope marked the Aberdeen Mail Centre and I thought I'd get a clue from the address, which had been hand-written, but it was in block capitals," he said. "The letter itself was typed.

"My target was to raise £1,000 originally and to have reached more than £2,500 makes it all worthwhile - and I've still three months to go.

"This latest boost can only be as a result of the article in the Piper. I know an awful lot of folk had seen it and just on Saturday I received another donation from someone who had seen the article.

"The way things are going, it looks like I've been averaging £10 per day in fundraising, so people are certainly responding!"
Ed hopes the money he raises will go towards buying overhead lifts and rails for bathrooms at the cottages.

* Anyone wishing to sponsor Ed, or contribute to the fundraising, can contact him on (013397) 42293 or COH on (013397) 42100 between 9.30am and 5pm, Monday-Friday.