Prison Officer, Mark Hartley from HMP Erlestoke raised the total sum of £2,145.00 for Brain Tumour UK with the help of his son, Ryan, and their friends, colleagues, Oldfield Old Boys RFC players and prisoners.

He decided he wanted to do something for the charity after his friend, Teresa Blake's Dad was diagnosed by a Grade IV Brain Tumour at the end of September 2009.

Mark decided he would grow a "PI Magnum Moustache" for the entire month of December and when his friends, colleagues and prisoners heard his intentions they decided they wanted to provide their support by joining him!

Prisoners from HMP Erlestoke donated over £300 in sponsorship growing their moustaches and wearing the BTUK T-Shirts and Caps. They also spent the month raising awareness to fellow prisoners, staff and visitors by researching and making notices and posters.

Mark said "I saw how the diagnosis of a Brain Tumour can turn a families' life upside down. I felt that I wanted to do something to support the invaluable work carried out by Brain Tumour UK. I would like to express a heartfelt thanks to all the people who joined me in raising money, Colleagues and prisoners of Erlestoke prison and Fellow players Andy Bird, Sean Collins and Joe Escott of Oldfield Old Boys Rugby Club in Bath. Not to forget all the people from the rugby club and prison who sponsored us, without their generosity we would not have been able to have raised over £2,000.00".

A cheque for £2,000.00 was handed over on 30th December, (the day before the moustaches were to be shaved off), to Teresa Blake who was delighted to accept the cheque on behalf of BTUK.

Teresa said "I was totally in awe when Mark told me back in November what he wanted to do for the Charity. Myself and my family were completely devastated when we received Dad's diagnosis, you just never expect anything like this to happen to you. I have since discovered that in the UK 49 people every day receive the devastating and often life threatening diagnosis that they have a Brain Tumour. It has become important to me to raise awareness about Brain Tumours and raise money to fund research into the latest treatments. I recently joined the voluntary fundraising team for BTUK and what Mark and the guys have done for us is just amazing and I personally want to thank them all from the bottom of my heart".

If you would like to learn more about Brain Tumours or to make a donation please log on to www.braintumouruk.org.uk