FIRST there was Movember, now there's Mocember — residents of Sheepwash are growing moustaches during December and this time the weirdest and wackiest facial hair is helping a cause close to the heart of Buster and Anna Jones.

The Sheepwash couple wanted to help Derriford Hospital Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit where their grandson Jenson Tucker spent nearly two weeks after his birth on November 25. Jenson was starved of oxygen and received treatment in order to reduce the chance of swelling on his brain.

Mr Jones said Jenson was given medication and his body had to be cooled for three days and then his temperature raised again: 'The staff did a fantastic job and we are trying to raise money to show our appreciation,' he said.

'Our grandson is home now and you would not know there was anything wrong with him at all. It's a question of waiting to see if any damage has been done and we are currently awaiting results of an MRI scan but hopefully he will be OK.'

At least a dozen Sheepwash residents are joining in Mocember which follows on from the hugely successful moustache growing fundraising event for Prostate Cancer —Movember, and there will be a competition at the Half Moon Inn in the village on December 23.

'It's not about length of the moustache, it's about how artistic and colourful we can be with them,' said Mr Jones. 'Anything goes really.'

The money raised — which Mr Jones hopes will be in excess of £1,000 — will be split between the neo-natal unit and the North Devon Hospital at Barnstaple where Jenson was born.

During his treatment Jenson's parents Carly and Joel were able to stay at the hospital which has four double bedrooms for this purpose.

Anyone who can help the cause can find Mocember on Facebook, go to the website:http://www.justgiving.com/anna-jones1">www.justgiving.com/anna-jones1 or contact Mr and Mrs Jones on 0777 8657041.