My name is Jayne and I am raising funds to help my friend and face painting colleague Michelle. She is desperate to get surgery for ongoing gall bladder attacks but has been told there is a minimum 52week wait. Having been through this kind of pain myself I understand that there is no way she can wait this amount of time with the agonising attacks preventing her living her normal life. Her only option is to pay privately.

I am starting this fundraiser as i know if I was in Michelle's shoes, I would want someone to do it for me! I hope you will support her too in any way you can. Whether you know her through facepainting, if you are a friend, workmate or family member remember every little helps and she is truly desperate to get this sorted.

Read Michelle's own story, and I'm sure you'll feel you'll also want to help...

To my lovely face painting family, my work colleagues, friends and family members

This isn’t an easy message to write, but I know this community truly understands the physical demands of what we do—the early mornings, the long hours on our feet, the bending, twisting, crouching, rushing between bookings, the pressure of busy event days, and the joy and energy we pour into every single design. It’s a job we love, and one we give so much of ourselves to.

Over the past months, I’ve been suffering from constant and severe gallbladder attacks. They strike without warning: sharp, breath-stealing pain that leaves me doubled over, unable to stand, unable to work, often violently sick. I’ve been back and forth to hospital more times than I can count, each time hoping something would finally be done—but there is no available NHS surgery list for me, and the waiting time is at least 52 weeks. Each visit ends the same way: more medication, but no solution.

This illness has taken a huge toll on my life, my health, and my livelihood.

Like many of you, face painting isn’t just my passion — it’s a vital part of my income. I’ve had to turn down jobs I desperately needed, arrange emergency cover from a hospital bed, and let down families and event organisers when my body simply couldn’t keep going. Every missed booking is income I can’t replace, and my little business is suffering in a way that breaks my heart.

I live in fear of the next attack. I feel helpless each time the pain starts to build, knowing it will only get worse and cost me even more work as the months go by.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m not someone who asks for help; I’m usually the one offering it. But right now, I’m stuck—unable to get treatment, unable to reliably work, and watching my income disappear. Private surgery is the only way to get my life back, protect my business, and stop this from getting worse.

And with my first grandchild due in March, I desperately want to be well. My daughter needs me. I want to be fully present for her, not bedridden or rushing to A&E. She is the reason I started face painting as a young single mum, and so many of you have met Georgia when she’s helped at events, managed the line, or worked as my glitter tattoo artist. She needs her mum fit, well, and ready for those newborn cuddles and nappy changes.

If you’re able to help in any way at all — even the smallest amount — it would mean more than I can ever express. It would mean relief from this constant pain, the chance to keep my little business alive, and the ability to keep doing the work I love in this wonderful community.

Thank you so much for reading, for understanding, and for supporting me. The face painting world is full of the kindest hearts, and I’m grateful for every single one of you. ❤️