Cutting it for a good cause

1:40pm Monday 6th October 2008

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A MAN had his hair shaved for charity to help the fight against the illness that killed his five-day-old great-nephew.

Nigel Saunders, of Crawts Road, Overton, visited the barber’s chair and raised about £1,500 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

In December last year, his niece, Charlene Gillingham, gave birth to Keelan, who died just five days later.

The youngster was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a severe bowel malfunction that caused him to have an enlarged stomach and problems with seven of his major organs.

Mr Saunders, a 56-year-old floor-tiler, said: “It will take a while to get used to having no hair and people have already been saying I look hungrier!

“The fact is, it was tragic when young Keelan died and anything I can do to help other people is worthwhile. It’s the first time I’ve raised money for charity but may not be the last.”

Miss Gillingham, 22, of Aylings Close, Winklebury, is now studying to be a child psychologist. She said: “I think my uncle is amazing and I’m just so proud of what he did.

“I had no idea we would raise so much money and it’s great to think it will be put to good use. He’s a star.”

The money will be divided equally between the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the charity of the hospital where Keelan was a patient, the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

If you would like to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/keelans-memory