A YATE man is feeling the cold this week, after shaving his head for charity.

Sam Merchant decided to go bald to raise cash for Ataxia UK.

The 36-year-old was diagnosed with Ataxia, a rare genetic disorder, 16 years ago. The condition affects his nerves and heart, by impairing his coordination and general ability to live his life. 

Last weekend, Sam attended the Ataxia UK conference in London. He chose there, on stage in front of about 200 delegates, to say goodbye to his hair. 

"I was more nervous about speaking on stage than I was about being shaved," he said.

"There was a large audience of maybe 200 people, many of whom I am friends with on Facebook. Everyone was supportive throughout."

"I wanted to raise money to aid the fight against this horrible condition. 

"I have taken part in other fundraisers including a skydive, a calendar and various other local activities. 

"This is my latest wild idea to help fund research into a cure for everyone currently affected and future generations.

"Ataxia affects my nerves and heart, particularly my coordination. I use a wheelchair to get about and it makes my speech slurred and hearing poor."

Sam has a degree in biochemistry and likes to keep up with the latest scientific issues, particularly the latest health research into Ataxia.

Sue Millman, Chief Executive of Ataxia UK said: "We’re working towards finding treatments and cures, our scientists are very busy, but the mechanisms involved in the ataxias are very complex and there are more than 100 different conditions to find cures for.

"Sam has Friedreichs ataxia, which is the most common form in the UK, with 1,200 people affected.

"It is also the ataxia for which we are most likely to find a cure or treatments soonest.

"There have been a number of promising clinical trials and we hope shortly to see a larger trial for nicotinamide (vitamin B3) to follow up on a small, successful trial conducted by Professor Richard Festenstein at Imperial College which was featured in The Lancet."

To donate to Sam's appeal, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sambaldlygoes