Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

If you hadn't heard - I'm having my hair shaved off in order to raise funds for The Circulation Foundation and to raise awareness of Vascular Disease in particular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms ("AAA's").

My Aunt Linda Ginnaw was rushed into hospital in January 2018 with a ruptured AAA. She underwent a 7 hour operation to save her life that night with a graft fitted followed by a 9 hour operation to repair her bowel just 7 days later. She remained in intensive care at St Thomas's hospital for the next few months. Miraculously she began to regain her strength and pull through. She was moved to high dependency and then onto various wards.

During the Summer months she used to sit down in the gardens, taking in the rays, breathing some fresh air and pondering so much. She was required to go back into theatre to have her wound closed up but was informed that she needed to have a new graft fitted due to infection - this was carried out on 13 September. She spent the next few weeks back in intensive care followed by high dependency. She sadly passed away on Saturday 27 October 2018 after 9 long months battling to defy the odds.

This remarkable lady made such a huge impact to us all - she never let her plight get her down and continued to fight until the very end. She went through so much and fought so hard. I'm honoured to have had such an amazing lady be a significant part of my life for so long.

Not many people are aware of AAAs, the causes, the risks and the screening that is offered. My Aunt didn't know she had an Abdominal Aneurysm which was growing inside her and a ticking timebomb. Most people don't know they have one. We need to raise awareness and get more people screened. My Aunt was 64 - that's no age. She should be about to embark on her retirement watching her four grandchildren growing up.

For anyone that knows me - knows how much my hair means to me. I've always been a poser that simply cannot have a hair out of place - spending vast amounts of time in front of the mirror. The amount of hair gel, wax and hair spray I have gone through down the years - I must have spent a fortune. So for me personally I am making a huge sacrifice to shave my head. But I know it doesn't come close to the sacrifices my Aunt made. I'm asking from the bottom of my heart for you to contribute however small to such an important cause and to help raise awareness.

The head shaving will take place live on facebook on Friday 24 May 2019 (precise time to be confirmed). I havent had my haircut now for about 6 weeks - and for now I continue to let it grow and will do until the big day.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you.

Gary