At the age of 48, I’m lucky to have a ridiculous head of thick hair that grows like crazy. I've not had my usual short back and sides since early 2019.

The time has finally come, I can't cope with this mop anymore. It’s definitely time to stop looking like a hippy viking!!

I’m also tired of being asked if I stunt-double for Sam Ryder! LOL!

Back in 2019, at just 3 and a bit years old, my friend’s son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). The day I discovered this awful news, I made a pledge to his mum, Cat.

I pledged that I would join the blood stem-cell donor charity DKMS and I also pledged that I wouldn’t get my hair cut for the duration of Marshall's (aka 'Murph’) treatment with a view to donating my ‘wig’ to ‘The Little Princess’s Trust’ at the end of his treatment.

Cat was a massive support to me during my first couple of years as a Self-Employed/Freelance Recruiter.

Once a client, then a colleague & biz mentor, AND a massive support to me personally while my marriage was falling apart while my mother-in-law was terminally ill with cancer.

I am blessed to have Cat in my friendship circle so I felt compelled to offer my support in any way possible.

This is pic of ‘Murph’ just before he made the decision NOT to ring the ‘end-of-treatment bell’ back in September 2022 because he still had his portacath sticking out of his chest - For him, his treatment wasn’t completely over until this intrusive device was removed.

Absolute bobby dazzler isn’t he?!

ALL is a type of leukaemia and therefore a type of blood cancer. The word ‘acute’ in the name indicates that the disease may progress very quickly - At the time of his diagnosis, and without immediate treatment, it was estimated Murph would have 6-8 weeks to live.

The word ‘lymphoblastic’ (sometimes called lymphocytic) refers to the type of blood cells affected – lymphoblasts. This is a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells.

ALL is rare and aggressive and is most often diagnosed in children under the age of 4 years old. Adults can also be diagnosed with ALL.

Treatment for this rare leukemia involves chemotherapy drugs developed over 60 years ago for use with adults NOT children. Murph was on 2 of these – originally produced back in 1947 & 1961!

Children suffer severe side effects during treatment, and often have serious health conditions later in life.

When I first learned of Murph’s diagnosis I was fully aware (due to members of my own family being treated for cancer) that there was a strong possibility of him losing his superb ginger hair.

Hair loss for a child can be hugely detrimental to their confidence and I wanted to do something to help this bright pocket rocket of a wee man regain his confidence should his hair not grow back as a result of his chemotherapy treatment.

Thankfully, having undergone 1148 days of chemo, along with a huge array of other medical interventions, Murph has now completed his treatment, his port was removed just before Christmas 2022 and he is beginning to live his life to the full again.

I am absolutely delighted that Murph’s own hair has grown back and he won’t need a wig – my mop isn’t exactly a perfect colour match despite me also being blessed with the ginger gene.

I am relieved that Murph’s no longer having endure the regular chemo and all the other drugs and steroids being pumped into his body and is back on track with enjoying his childhood.

I am excited he can now get back to doing all the ‘normal’ stuff that 6 (nearly 7) years olds do, start enjoying a cancer treatment-free family life with his Mum & Dad and being a ‘big bro’ to his younger brother.

It saddens me that for the past few years this lovely family’s lives have been turned upside down and effectively put on hold during the treatment program when they should’ve been doing all the stuff that the majority of other families take for granted during pre-school and primary school years.

So along with donating my mop of hair to ‘The Little Princess Trust’, I would very much like to raise some much needed funds for this charity and DKMS along with a couple of other charities that have been so supportive to Murph and his parents through their cancer treatment journey AND for Murph so that he can enjoy a family treat or a mini-break to Lego-Land as he's a massive fan of Lego.

Did you know it can take up to 14 hair donations to make a single wig and costs around £700 to provide each real-hair wig?

Hair donations need to be at least 12 inches long as they’ve got plenty of stock of real hair 7-11 inches long.

Mine’s now mid-back so it’s time to say goodbye to my mop and get back to looking more like Prince Harry's Stunt Double! ;)

The Charities I’m fundraising for are listed below:

The Little Princess Trust

DKMS

Noah’s Ark Childen’s Hospital Charity

LATCH

My fundraising goal is £5,000.00

This figure might be a tad ambitious, especially during these tough economic times, however, the financial contributions these charities make towards research into better and kinder treatments for children with cancer are so desperately needed.

I would be sincerely grateful if you would be kind enough to make a donation, however large or small to help me in achieving this goal.

Thank you so much for supporting me.

Loadsa love,

Chris 'Erro' Errington

PS - If the target is smashed, I might even go for the full 'buzz-cut' and go all 'Action Man/Navy Seal' for a few weeks ;)