Best friends go pink for Cancer Research

Doorman and judo instructor Chris Cooper, and doorman and builder/plasterer Mick Craker decided to spend one month with the new-look around the time the ‘no make-up selfie’ craze took place on Facebook.

After daring her husband to take a picture of himself made-up, which he did, receiving more than 100 ‘likes’, Caroline Cooper took it a step further and suggested the pair go pink.

Chris, 42, of Box Grove, Goring, said: “I’ve lost so many close friends through cancer. We are just trying to make someone else’s life better. Mick said why don’t we wear make-up for the month but it irritates my eyes, I don’t know how women do it.”

Mick, 48, of the Quadrant, Maybridge, added: “Every single person, no matter who they are, has had a close friend or family member go through it. It does mean a lot to me and Chris.”

Caroline lost her dad, David Bindon, to cancer when she was three years old and as a result Cancer Research has always been her ‘top charity’.

Caroline, 37, said: “It’s brilliant, it doesn’t surprise me. You should never dare Chris to do anything.”

To date, Chris and Mick have raised more than £2,000.

In their spare time, Chris and Caroline also work as tattoo artists from their fully registered and licensed home studio.

For £20 they will tattoo a ribbon symbolising support against cancer, of which £15 will go straight to Cancer Research. The remaining £5 will cover the cost of the disposable equipment used.

Mick and Chris have had pink T-shirts made up with their fundraising details on to raise awareness when they are out and about.

Chris said: “The response has been overwhelming, to be honest. It’s quite touching. People are running up to me even in Tesco, chucking £5 and £10.”

He added that any donations received would be donated there and then.

The pair are in the middle of organising a fundraising event at the end of the month at Bar Release.

Businesses across the town have donated raffle prizes to the evening.

Chris said: “Thank you everybody who has donated or sent us raffle prizes, and thank you to Ken and Hayley, the new managers at Bar Release. Everybody has been absolutely amazing.”

To make a donation, visit www.just-giving.com/chrisgoespink or text ‘Judo99’ and the donation amount to 70070.