Raymond Tiddy will shave off his beard next month to raise money for his uncle Bruce, who is recovering from a life-changing cancer surgery.

MADDY HARKER

Wanaka man Raymond Tiddy plans to shave off his impressive beard - which has been growing for two years - at the conclusion of a fundraising campaign for his uncle Bruce, who is recovering from major cancer surgery.

Raymond has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for his uncle.

"It’s the least I can do to help him out,” Raymond said. "Growing up I had a few uncles but he was the one that was really special to me.”

"He is one of those model citizens that has never smoked, lived an active lifestyle, worked to help people, and he’s been hit pretty hard with some really bad luck.”

Raymond said his uncle had dedicated his life to working with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society. He is well known and respected for his development of alcohol and drug and mental health programmes in prisons and communities across New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia.

Bruce has had several operations since 2013 to treat aggressive and invasive skin cancer. The operations involved removal of areas of bone and tissue and have required follow-up chemotherapy and radiation. Remarkably, all surgeries were successful and after each period of recovery he was able to return to his work and live a very full life.

Earlier this year however, Bruce was diagnosed with further tumors at the base of his tongue and glands on the right side of his neck. Bruce had to have surgery which involved total removal of his tongue, voice box and the glands in his neck. He now breathes from a stoma in his neck and takes food from a feed tube.

Any funds raised by Raymond would go towards Bruce’s recovery and to help him return to leading a full and active life. Because he has previously had radiation therapy, his recovery will be slow and he will have to adjust to a new way of life.

Even without the use of his voice, Bruce continues his work in mental health and addiction. He is enormously positive, Raymond said, and is determined to make the most of his situation.

This is the second time Raymond has shaved his beard for charity. Two and a half years ago he raised $2,500 for international aid organisation Doctors Without Borders.

PHOTO: Supplied