Hi, my name is Salem and I am an 18 year old trans guy who desperately needs top surgery.

To give a bit of backstory into my journey so far: I came out as trans before I'd even left primary school and now that I'm 18 I feel like I've been waiting my whole life to be able to be myself. I started taking Testosterone almost 10 months ago which has improved my life massively but also made it clear how badly I need top surgery.

I've been binding my chest for 7 years now, because it's the only way that I feel comfortable enough to be able to leave the house. And although binding helps, it restricts my breathing and can be painful, especially when using tape. I can't wait to not have to worry about binding anymore.

I was on the waiting list for the NHS gender dysphoria clinic for 7 years before I received my first appointment, where I was I told that it would likely be many more years until they would even begin to discuss surgery for me. I feel completely let down and abandoned by the NHS.

Getting top surgery would change my life in so many ways and there are so many experiences that I look forward to after it: wearing clothes that fit me, going to the beach, exercising, but most of all just being able to feel comfortable in my own body.

Privately getting top surgery in this country is around £10,000-£13,000 which is why I'm planning to go abroad. I have £3,000 put aside for my surgery and need to make the last £2,000. Any donations would be a massive help for me to try and achieve this!