Cullen based Alex Hutcheon is raising money for Maggie’s Aberdeen by shaving his head next week and has already smashed his fundraising target of £150 by gaining over £7,000 in donations in just under one week.
The 20 year-old man decided to shave his head for charity whilst he receives chemotherapy treatment after recently being diagnosed with sarcoma.
The Cullen based man chose Maggie’s Aberdeen, the Centre based in the grounds of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, to receive the money raised. Alex and his family visited Maggie’s for the first-time last week and have been receiving the valuable support it provides whilst he is undergoing treatment and the Centre acts as a base after travelling from the coastal village.
Alex Hutcheon said: “Following my recent diagnosis, it is clear how much support a place like Maggie’s can give families. In preparation for starting chemotherapy, I have decided to shave my own hair before cancer takes it away for me. I'd like to make the best out of a bad situation to do whatever I can to help Maggie’s help other people in similar situations.
“Any donation no matter how small helps people get through a difficult time with the support of Maggie’s. I can’t believe the level of support and amount of donations already, I can’t begin to thank people enough for getting behind me by supporting Maggie’s that is such an amazing place.”
This donation from the money raised will help to keep the Centre operational during 2018 and will play a key part in enabling Maggie’s to continue to provide its unique programme of practical, emotional and social support. The programme is delivered by professional staff, with the Centre providing support for anyone affected by cancer, be that the person with the diagnosis, their friends or family.
Susan Sutherland, centre manager, Maggie’s Aberdeen, said: “We are all extremely grateful to Alex for thinking of raising vital funds for Maggie’s Aberdeen in this way, just as he is about to start treatment for cancer. The response to his fundraising idea for our Centre following his visit here has been incredible.
“We are so appreciative of the amount of money he has raised already and in conjunction with this the awareness of the support we can offer to people with a cancer diagnosis and their families and friends. Everyone here at Maggie’s Aberdeen wishes Alex well for his treatment and we want to thank him and his family so much.”
To find out more information or to donate to Alex’s fundraising visit his Just Giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/headshave2017