Canadian rugby ‘beardo’ to shave for charity with Rick Mercer wielding razor

TORONTO – Canadian flanker Adam Kleeberger, whose bushy beard attracted worldwide attention at the Rugby World Cup, is going to shave for charity.

Kleeberger will have his beard removed Oct. 17 in Victoria by CBC comedian Rick Mercer as part of an upcoming episode of “The Rick Mercer Report.”

The 27-year-old from White Rock, B.C., is asking his fans to support the “Shear the Beard” campaign in one of two ways.

In Canada, he asks for donations via Movember (www.Movember.com and http://mobro.co/SheartheBeard), a campaign each November where men grow moustaches to raise awareness and funds for cancer

Citing New Zealand’s hospitality towards the Canadian team at the World Cup, he is also asking for help for the Christchurch Earthquake Relief fund (via http://donate.rugbycanada.ca/e/Shear_the_Beard).

While Kleeberger is happy to raise money for a pair of good causes, he says he may miss the facial hair.

“I am not sure how I will feel once the beard is gone,” he said in an email from New Zealand to The Canadian Press. “The beautiful thing is that I can always grow it back if I do.”

And the worst thing about the beard?

“My inability to eat ice cream when it is on a cone.”

He says he did not expect the attention garnered by his beard – and those of teammates Hubert Buyden and Jebb Sinclair.

“I am surprised by the attention, but very happy that it has given our team at the World Cup somewhat of an identity and brought new fans to the great game of rugby,” he said.

“I think that although the beards on some of our players may have sparked the interest in our team, our performances on the field have hopefully earned us some new fans regardless of our facial follicles.”