Murray MacGregor – Monday 12th August 2019 – 5.15pm.
When your hair is around two feet long, you need to have a pretty good reason to cut the whole lot off.
But that is exactly what West Midlands Ambulance Service Call Assessor James Doyle will be doing; and yes, he does have a very good reason – he’s trying to raise £500 for Mind, the mental health charity.
He’ll also be donating his hair to the Little Princess Trust which provides real hair wigs to children and young adults who have lost their hair to cancer or other illnesses.
James said: “I suffer from General Anxiety Disorder, as well as depression. In 2015 I suffered from a very severe episode of depression but found a way of coping was by growing my hair and then donating it.
“Since that episode, my mental health has greatly improved and continues to get better. I have support from colleagues, the Trust, friends, and family for when I have difficult times, but many don’t.
“As a call handler I take a lot of mental health calls, which can be distressing, not only for the patient but for their friends, family and even myself. Sadly, sometimes the calls end in tragedy. I don’t believe it needs to be this way.
“I’ve learned not to hide my mental health, although it’s hard to open up and I encourage others to talk openly about theirs. Too many people are silent about their mental health and it’s the silence that kills.
“I hope this event will prove that no matter who you are you’re not alone and you shouldn’t be afraid to open up.”
James will be cutting his hair on Thursday 15th August at Couture Lounge, 6 Queen Street, Wellington, Telford, TF1 1SN.
You can donate to this excellent cause here.
