Good mates Evan Agnew and Josh Dennison have set out a challenge for each other – one beard versus another.

'It's Bush Man and the Viking,” says Josh, in reference to their duelling beards, one black, the other ginger.

In a curious bet to see which beard would outgrow the other, they've asked the public to decide, on their Givealittle page titled ‘2 bro's lose the mo's (and more!)'. All proceeds from their hairy efforts will go to I AM HOPE to help those struggling with mental health.

'We're just two dudes wanting to do their part to raise funds for mental health,” says Josh, who first took on a fundraising beard-growing challenge in 2021.

'I was originally planning to do Movember, but wanted to support Mike King and I AM HOPE. He does a good job.”

The pair met while working at Bunnings. Evan says after seeing Josh do the challenge last year, he decided to join him this time, letting his beard 'grow like bush man wild”.

'We shaved on the first of January and haven't shaved since,” says Evan. 'Except one time I did a tiny trim as I had a job interview, so needed to make myself more presentable. I got the job.”

He says Josh is the 'more follicle-ly gifted” of the two.

'He's got the good Viking genes for growing a beard. If I'd known my fiercely-follicked friend was going to make it a competition I would have tried harder,” says Evan.

'I've had my battles with mental health, I look up to Mike King and thought it was a good opportunity to get on board and help raise awareness.”

Josh, who can trace his lineage and beard-growing ability back to Stornoway, Scotland, says he has been growing facial hair since high school.

'Beards are seen as a manly thing, and can be seen as intimidating. So this was about removing the mask and showing we are normal underneath. What am I without a beard? Still a guy.”

The friends plan to go get a clean cut and shave on November 30.

To support their fundraising efforts please go to Givealitte and look up ‘2 bro's lose the mo's'.