An Aberystwyth nursery manager has more than tripled his fundraising target after pledging to Brave the Shave for Macmillan Cancer Support, in memory of his father who he lost to cancer 25 years ago.

Alan Gbel, 38, is joining others from across the UK in Macmillan Cancer Support’s Brave the Shave challenge by shaving his hair on 9 July, the 25th anniversary of his father’s death.

So far, Alan, from Bow Street, has managed to more than triple his fundraising target of £200 by raising £785 so far.

“I’m over the moon about how much I have raised so far,” Alan, who is a manager at Little Angels Nursery in Aberystwyth, said.

“I’d hoped that I could raise £200 for the charity and with the support of amazing family and friends I am already up to £620. A few other family members and friends have also pledged to donate, however I haven’t included them in the total so far as I don’t know how much yet.

“Every little helps. The support has been incredible. Any further donations are an amazing bonus.”

Alan decided to take on the challenge in memory of his father, who sadly died after being diagnosed with a brain tumour when Alan was just 13 years old, Alan wants to support a charity that has helped so many others in the same position.

“I decided that this anniversary I would do my bit and help this amazing charity that helps so many people dealing with cancer and the families involved too.

“Sadly over the past 25 years I have seen many other people deal with this terrible disease from family, friends and even children of friends.

“I have also seen how Macmillan Cancer Support has helped the families involved in so many ways and this has undoubtedly had a massive impact upon recovery and the families’ wellbeing.

“This is my small way of doing my bit and commemorating my dad at the same time.”

Alan added: “This challenge is something that has always appealed to me. I have known other people that have previously taken part in it and really helped the charity.

“I’ve had a number of different haircuts over the years from some dodgy curtains, short back and sides to long hair halfway down my back. Some have been more successful than others! I have never had a completely clean shaven head though so I thought ‘why not do this and raise as much money as I can’.

“The older I get the thinner my hair is getting too so while I still can this is the perfect way for me to raise some money.”

Alan said he is “really excited” for the challenge: “I’m nervous because I’m not sure what I’ll look like and excited because I’ve raised so much already. People say I look like my dad and during treatment he had a shaved head that looked really good on him, so hopefully I can pull off the look as well.”