To bring in 2012, Typhoon Squadron held a charity auction night to support the Squadron charity, Rainbows.  Rainbows is a charity based in the East Midlands and is a place where life-limited children and their families can find care and support.

Despite the charity auction being held in January, the first charity event started before the Loughborough University Christmas break with 15 men taking part in Beard-cember.  The concept was simple; in the 6 weeks over the Christmas and New Year till the charity auction, the 15 participants were to grow the bushiest beards possible.  Beard progress was tracked through a beard blog and involved weekly photo updates.  To not exclude the female members of Typhoon Squadron, a sister event was proposed to take place over the same time period, “Fan-uary”, however, there were no willing volunteers at the Squadron.

The first few weeks were relatively simple, however at the start of week three, the inevitable “beard itch” was the talk of the beard blog.  Unfortunately the relentless family abuse and beard itch proved too much for some, and the third week claimed it first beard victim, OCdt Dales who had to buy himself out of Beard-cember to shave off his beard - much to the disappointment of his bearded brethren.  In the New Year the just giving charity donation web page was hovering near its £500 target, with friends and family amused by the beard blog and donating.

At the end of week 5, the bearded men of Typhoon Squadron had hit the £500 target, and much to the amazement of all participants, the total kept climbing.   Much needed messages of support were posted on both the beard blog and just giving web page which helped the beard-icipants march on through the final week. 

At the charity auction, the just giving page had raised an epic £755, smashing the original target of £500.  The beard-judging panel, convened to award the prizes for the best and worst beard, had the criteria of beard length, coverage and facial suitability to assist them in the awarding of the prizes.  The best beard, awarded not for its length or coverage, was awarded for its face changing appearance and was awarded to OCdt Jones who, to quote the Commanding Officer “made him look like a maniac”.

Once the beards had been judged, Typhoon Squadron started its charity auction.  Lots, donated by members of Typhoon Squadron, were varied and highlighted the plethora of skills Typhoon Squadron has.  Twenty lots were on offer and included items such as an introduction to scuba diving, cocktail making lessons, a bed-time story, boxing taster sessions, adventure weekends in Anglesey and personal chefs.  Typhoon Squadron, fresh from receiving their bursaries and student loans, dug deep into pockets and made big bids.  With a few last minute entries to the auction lots, Typhoon Squadron managed to raise over £1,300, a phenomenal amount of money.

With the night at the races charity event held earlier in the year, Typhoon Squadron has raised over £2,300 for Rainbows - sailing past the £2,000 set by the charity co-ordinator Capt Sidaway at the beginning of the year. Thanks for the evening must go to the Typhoon Squadron members who donated and purchased skills on the evening and also OCdt Tankaria for setting up the just giving page (www.justgiving.com/typhoon-beard).