A GROUP of rugby players in Basingstoke have had a close shave to get them ready for a hair-growing month.

Eight players from Chineham Rugby Club had a cut-throat shave at The Barbershop, in Hackwood Road, Basingstoke, last Friday before they embark on a month of growing their facial hair as part of “Movember”.

The month-long charity fundraiser, which started in Australia in 2003, encourages men to grow facial hair during the 30 days of the month to raise money for the Movember Foundation.

The worldwide charity aims to raise awareness and funds to save the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems.

So far, the charity has raised £346million and has funded over 800 programmes in 21 countries.

Spencer Taylor, who is 25 and is a prop at the club, told The Gazette: “This is a yearly thing that we try and get people to do, and this year we thought we would do it as a team.

“It is for a good cause and we are all going to do something different. I will be growing a handlebar moustache.”

He added: “We are going to try and raise as much money as we can. We have already got £225 which is more than we have ever raised before.”

Donations can be made to the rugby club’s fundraiser by visiting uk.movember.com/ team/1532885 or by making a donation at the clubhouse at Basingstoke Sports and Social Club, in Mays Bounty.

And the club is also looking for new members. Anyone interested in joining the club should visit their website at pitchero.com/clubs/chinehamrfc.