Purley-resident Merlin Golder ‘Braved the Shave’ for Macmillan Cancer Support on 19th December 2020, with the 29-year-old raising a massive £1,182. Merlin was moved to take-up the clippers as a thank-you to Macmillan, after being supported by the cancer charity when Merlin’s mum, grandmother, grandfather, and partner all died of the disease.
Tragically, Merlin’s partner Peter died in January 2021, just one month after Merlin completed the fundraising challenge. As well as other life-limiting health conditions, Peter was also diagnosed with cancer of the gallbladder in 2019.
After undergoing the brutal buzzcut for a good cause, Merlin explained:
“Macmillan were there for my mum during her end of life care – I was 9-years-old, my little sister only 7, when she passed away from bowel cancer at the age of 37. Macmillan both nursed my mother, whilst also supporting the family. It allowed my mum to pass at home, with family around her. Macmillan did the same for my maternal grandmother a year later, although she passed at the hospital.
“Around the same time my grandfather got his cancer diagnosis in late 2019, my partner also got his. By this point, cancer was the cause of so much loss in my life – I’ve lost both family members and close friends of mine.
“To have huge parts of my life changed forever by this awful illness…it was overwhelming, daunting and terrifying. Macmillan contacted me and offered a counselling service, so I had someone to talk to, as I felt so alone and so scared. I had to stay strong for Peter and my grandad. But as the counsellor told me, it was important that I took some time for myself, even if that hour with her was all I could give. It helped me breathe and take some time to prepare for what was about to happen.
“No matter how you try and prepare yourself, nothing braces you for the heartbreak and pain of losing your partner. We were together for 9 amazing years. He was the most generous, kind, and gentle man. Although my heart is shattered, I have those years of memories with him that I wouldn’t give up for the world.
“I did the shave live on Facebook with a colleague of mine and I said on the stream that if we reached £2,000 between us then I would shave off my eyebrows as well. Definitely an interesting look, but so worth it!
“I chose to take part in Brave the Shave so Macmillan can continue to help other people like me whose lives have been turned upside down by cancer.”
Melanie Humphreys, Macmillan Relationship Fundraising Manager for London, said:
“The vital funds raised by inspirational individuals like Merlin, will help us continue to do whatever it takes to be there for everyone living with cancer from day one of their diagnosis. Go to bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk to find out how to get involved or to donate to one of our brilliant, brave shavers!”
