A Royston man is to rid himself of the name he’s had since birth and replace it with a moniker of the public’s choosing, all for a good cause.

Mark Davies was inspired to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society through his work as a carer, and will be giving people the chance to choose what his name will be for the next year in a bid to reach £2,500 in donations.

The 47-year-old told the Crow: “I’ve been a house-to-house carer in Royston and North Herts for the past year, and a lot of people we see have dementia.

“In the early stages they can live quite normally, but we are seeing it more and more. It’s a horrible disease and you know they’re not going to get any better.

“I think because so many people are getting it, there’s a good chance I will get it – so I want to do something about it.”

Mark used to work as a chef and run pubs before he went into care work, first as a theatre porter at Cambs-based Papworth Hospital and then in his current role at Care By Us.

He said: “I never thought of myself in the caring role until I did it, so it must’ve been in me to be caring and I do find it very rewarding.

“You could sit around and do nothing to help these causes, or you can get up and help.”

Mark, who has lived in Royston for about eight years, said if he hits £2,500 he will change his name by deed poll to whatever name is pulled out of a hat. He said: “This will be my legal name for a minimum of one year – for example, on my driving licence, and council tax bill. I don’t want a boring name, I want it to be whacky – if I’m called chocolate digestive for a year it’s not the end of the world is it?”

With a £10 donation to his fundraising page, you can include whatever name for Mark you’d want – although there are legal restrictions.

Restrictions include names that are impossible to pronounce, names that are vulgar, offensive or blasphemous, or those which promote racial or religious hatred.

Mark added: “Don’t put it off. If you’re thinking of donating, or you’ve thought of a good idea for a name for me – it could be something you’ve thought up, it could be somethng to do with your business – whatever it is donate to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.”

See www.deedpoll.org.uk/AreThereAnyRestrictionsOnNames for the full list of restrictions, and to donate go to the fundraising page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-davies87