They’re two years in the making (or rather growing) and scare small children, but now Wesley Wren’s whiskers are being put to good use - by being chopped off.

The 36-year-old Gillingham man is going to have his beard shaved to raise money for a cause close to his heart.

When the clippers come out he wants to raise £1,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, as his nephew Alexander Wilkinson, suffers from the condition.

He has been growing his 6in beard for two years and plans to shave it off with his hair on September 17, his nephew’s birthday.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting condition caused by a faulty gene which controls the movement of salt and water into cells in the body.

It causes mucus to gather in sufferer’s lungs and digestive system which can make it hard to breathe and can cause problems digesting food. However, medical research, including gene therapy have offered hope to sufferers in recent years.

'I have seen first hand the daily struggle that somebody with cystic fibrosis goes through' - Wesley Wren

Mr Wren, who works for a specialist printing firm in Aylesford, said: “I have seen at first hand the daily struggles that somebody with cystic fibrosis has to go through, and I know the charity does a great job at helping sufferers of this debilitating disease, along with trying to find a cure.

“I wanted to do all I could to help support their research to improve cystic fibrosis care and treatment, their main aim is to ensure appropriate clinical care and support for people with cystic fibrosis.

“My beard is the kind of beard that makes friends, scares small children, and gets me funny looks from airport security. I first started growing it just for a change, then as it got longer, I thought maybe I should keep growing it to see how long I can get it with the intention of shaving it off for charity.”

Mr Wren, who has two children of his own, Taylor, 14, and Alice, three, plans to shave his head if he reaches his fundraising target and will charge friends and family to have a go at shaving him themselves.

He will also take part in a 10km in Faversham in September to raise money for the charity.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Wesley-Wren.