Hi there.

My name is Sophia, and I'm fundraising in order to get help with my Facial Feminisation Surgery and other surgeries!

As a trans woman, I have lived my life proud of who and what I am, but I have always felt that I'm not at home in my skin. Especially when it comes to my face and lower body.

I have always struggled with people seeing me as being male, and despite years of trying to get better at makeup and playing around with hairstyles, I have never been able to look at my face dispassionately because even though I have been able to use filters and such to feminise my appearance online, that doesnt reflect my lived reality in person.

I honestly wake up and look in the mirror most days with a sense of dread and despair because whilst I recognise that I'm pretty, I have very male features which have lead many to ask or call me out on my gender in public.

I won't lie, there have been times in my life when I have been assaulted because of my not looking like a natural born woman. I have received verbal and physical abuse on the street, and I can't go on living like this.

Living in fear that once again, someone will see my face, recognise that I was born male, and see that as an opportunity to ridicule or otherwise harm me through their ignorance and fear.

I'm not wealthy, and I can't get the surgery I need alone. Which is why I'm starting this fundraiser.

As someone who has worked for a charity for 2 years, I know the power of public help in turning lives around.

By helping me, you will be changing my life for the better and giving me a chance to live every day in peace and security that my Facial features won't give me away to those who would harm me.

I am not ashamed of needing the help, and I am so grateful for any and all donations that come my way because without them, I will not be able to afford to have this life changing surgery.

So please, if you can help, I would be eternally grateful.

Thank you so much.