Yellowknife (July 04/01) - When Dr. Pierre Lessard retires and leaves town this month, he'll be leaving behind his famous beard.

The well-known obstetrician and gynecologist, 54, had his 31-year-old beard and moustache shaved off Thursday for charity.

Neither his wife, Paula, nor his two kids had seen his clean-shaven face before.

Some of Lessard's colleagues hatched the idea to raise money to see his face bald. They talked him into it but Lessard set the price tag at $2,500 to be donated to the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation.

Friends, colleagues, hospital staff, and members of the legislative assembly all chipped in to see the doctor lose his beard. They far exceeded their target, raising $5,717 in four days.

When the time came, his wife, Paula, prepared "plan B" -- a paper bag with a life size print of Lessard's old face glued to it, in case he wanted to wear his beard again.

"For six grand, why not?" said Lessard afterwards, although he was dubious about his new look.

"I don't know if I want to start shaving. I'll have to get used to this."