Anyone who knows me, knows that I am, pridefully so, synonymous with my long curly hair. For four years, I have not let any blades near it and it now reaches far below my shoulders.

I have received multiple offers (passionately so, at times) to cut it off for charity. This time has come!

I have chosen the noble charity of the Samaritans to benefit from the event.

Around 115 people per week are heart-wrenchingly lost to suicide each week in the UK, with three quarters of them being men. It is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 35. If you have had experience of this tragedy within your own lives, you are well aware of the deep impact it has on families and relationships, for the years and years that come after.

I have truly come to believe that having someone to reach out to can mean the difference between a tragic loss of life and the saving of one. Sadly, it can be difficult for some of us to know who we can reach out to or even have someone we even believe we can.

The Samaritans have long-provided this lifeline for people who are struggling and have doubtless been the reason that many family's still have their loved ones with them today.

There is no cause closer to my heart than this, and I can think of no reason more worthy to brave the shave.

As an added bonus, the locks themselves will be going to a good cause, too. I will be donating the hair to The Little Princess Trust. Another fantastic charity, the Trust provides wigs to children and young adults who have suffered hair loss. You can see for yourself the radiant smiles this garners from the recipients in some of the toughest times of their lives.

If any of this is something you can get behind, I will be eternally grateful if you could support this endeavour with any amount of donation at all.

The shearing itself will take place at 3pm, on the 18th of July, at The Village Inn in Witchford.

Important Disclaimer: The beard stays.

Thank you all. And always remember, it is always, always, the right choice to reach out to someone.