Hi I’m Elenor (some of you might know me by my middle name Jess)

I’m raising money for trans affirming care surgery for myself that I can’t get covered by the NHS in my area (despite them saying they would).

Who am I?

I’m an artist and musician based in Edinburgh. I came out as trans like 100 years ago. I've taught hundreds of girls to shred bass at Girls' Rock School and I’m 50% of the the small indy games and comic press Dog Petrol and 25% of the band Pony/Ponies/Pony’s and also 25% of the band Petroleum Genderloss. I do performance art and make costumes and things you can wear and edit videos and podcasts etc. These are not the best ways to make a living if what you like is having money or financial security. I support myself and my partner. I’ve been told that I’m "iconic" in the Edinburgh trans scene which I think is a nice way of saying came out a really long time ago before Discords.

What do you want the money for?

I’m hoping to raise some money to pay for FFS aka facial feminisation surgery (as seen in the films The Assignment and The Skin I Live In my partner told me not to put this joke in).

Why do you want it?

Well first and most importantly I want it for me and to feel more comfortable and happier in who I am. I’ve been on HRT a really long time and it’s done some stuff but it’s hasn't and never will change up the bones in my face. Getting this surgery would help me with what has been described by a doctor as "crippling gender dysphoria". I’ve also been a victim of a number of transphobic attacks over the years and I’d really like how I look to match I better with who I am to in part lower the risk of me getting beaten up again as it’s not really that fun to have three guys stamp on you and kick you in the face. Fortunately the face doctors say they can also fix my broken eye socket. (That actually happened a different way.)

What do you get out of it?

Well if you are my friend you will be making me your friend happy and that really would mean a lot to me. If you don’t know me then first thank you for clicking on a link to my Gofundme and reading this far. if you leave a comment I will draw you a nice little doodle and post it (feel free to make an outlandish request). I will also be running a number of fun fundraising events and will update on those once they are planned.

Thank you for your time and hopefully your cold hard cash.

Josie Giles says: "Ellie is one of my oldest friends and I might never have transitioned without her. She tried to get me to do it sooner but I didn't listen, more fool me. She has done so much for so many people over the years, been a good friend to a million people who needed a good friend, and she really deserves your support. Please help her get this thing that she really wants!"

AB Silvera says: "Ellie is a close and trusted friend of mine. She has worked hard supporting her local trans community, as well as myself personally through some very difficult times. We are all lucky to have her, and I hope you can provide her with the funding she needs for the next step in her journey."

Bev Bev says: "I watched face off and can't stop thinking about Jess (Ellie) swapping faces with criminal mastermind John Travolta"

Nat Raha says: "Ellie is the most punk trans woman out here in Scotland. She leaves a trail of ears-ringing, people laughing, cats purring. She's probably the reason you're trans. If she had a penny for every time the NHS had messed up her healthcare, she wouldn't need this fundraiser. But she'd no doubt still be getting on stage, playing a homemade instrument or carefully sourced electronic toy brilliant and obscure from the internet. Support our local noise genius!"