Hi my name is Aran, and I have some big news: I'm finally booked in to get top surgery in January! Those of you who know me will know this has been a long time coming, and it's taken me a lot to get to this point.

I've been on the NHS GIC waiting list for several years and I'm still many years away from a first appointment for any kind of gender affirming care, so private has been the only way to go.

I'm booked in with a very good surgeon in Paris (much cheaper than in the UK) and the surgery alone is going to cost £5000. I'm lucky enough to get paid medical leave at work, and I plan to cover the bill with 0% interest credit card loans, so it's not an emergency, but along with travel, accommodation, aftercare and unbilled extras, it's all really going to add up. Any contribution, or even just a share, would really help me.

Thank you so much for all your support, I truly appreciate everyone who is there for me (regardless of financial or not!) and I'm so excited to finally make this change.