My hair has been chopped off!

On Friday May 15th I had my hair cut from what you see on the left to about 2 inches long!

I've done this to raise money for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice on the Isle of Wight. It has been a place of support and respite for a wonderful person who means a lot to me. (£500 is the amount needed to feed an inpatient for a week)

I am also supporting the 'Little Princess Trust' by donating my hair to them so that it can be made into wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment, alopecia etc

Bessie Smith has been a family friend for over 20 years. We used to go on holidays with her and Phil, and then the boys as well. She was always calm and smiling, one of the most caring people you could hope to meet. It always felt very special whenever I got spend time with her :)

Last May she was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease which has had a massive effect on her and her family.

Phil says this on his website:

"In May 2008 Bessie my wife of 21 years was diagnosed with MND. This was a huge shock as Bessie was only 49 at the time. Bessie was a nurse for over 20 years, mostly caring for the elderly, working for the National Blood Service IoW Team, and Laidlaw Day Hospital.

MND usually causes weakness in their limbs but most people retain their faculties with a few experiencing some personality change. Bessie has yet to experience much physical deterioration beyond a near total loss of speech and extreme difficulty eating and swallowing, but her personality change is very marked. A once highly intelligent and outgoing person is now reduced to a child like being with little or no desire to do much more than watch “Scooby-Doo” cartoons on TV. 

Bessie no longer works, needing almost constant care, but I still work full time as we have one 15 year old son at school and a 19 year old full time student living at home. We manage between us (I have a very understanding employer) but without the help of the Hospice I would have to give up work to care for Bessie, putting the family in a very difficult situation."

To find out more about the disease follow this link -  MND Website. Most people are unaware about the effects and speed with which MND can turn your life upside down . Please take a minute to visit the site and find out more about how this disease affects it's victims.

All donations, however small, very gratefully received. If you would like to sponsor me but can't do it online then please email me and I'll send you the details.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Earl Mountbatten Hospice gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!