I am fundraising for Beat, the UK's eating disorder charity. Beat supports anyone with an eating disorder, their friends and family, as well as professionals working with or worried about an individual in their care.

I have been growing my hair since the first national Lockdown when barbers were closed and cutting options limited after a while it became a sort of matter of pride to keep growing it. This is a double ended sponsorship in that I’m hoping to raising money through shaving my hair, for Beat

But the hair itself won’t go to waste either, with that being donated to the Little Princess Trust to make wigs for children living with cancer

I’ve chosen the date to be in the new year when people may have slightly more money after the festive period, but also to give me chance to grow my hair a bit longer for the wigs the date also coincides with the start of Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2023; where the theme this year is focused on raising awareness that boys and men can get get these illnesses too.

These serious mental illnesses include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. 1.25 million people in the UK have a diagnosed eating disorder. They affect people of all ages and backgrounds, and up to one in four sufferers are male. Eating disorders cost the UK's economy £16.8 billion each year.

I’d be really grateful if you could come along on this journey with me. I’ll be sure to post pictures and updates of my hair growth, and a live stream of it being cut. Hopefully together we can raise awareness and some much needed money.