Bald Gilly came into being in 2013 as an annual tribute to the memory of my father, the late (Norman) David Gilchrist as a twist on the more widely known "World's Greatest Shave". The initial concept was more of a dare for my mates to put their money where their mouths are, thinking that I'd put the initial target so high that there was no chance I'd have to actually go through with it and bare the physical scars of paediatric neurosurgery which up until that point had not seen the light of day in 30 years. The execution of the concept meant that I have never underestimated the generosity of my mates ever since. It also showed me, that once my ugly mug was out there for all to see, the one act of physical vulnerability I do annually hopefully already has made a difference in the lives of those who have gone through the same things we have since the day the music died. Dad, this one, as always is for you. For the full background, including links to past years' fundraisers and "before and after pictures" from all shaves done thus far, check out the Bald Gilly facebook page at http://www.baldgilly.org/bg/ We are now more than 2 years and countless "waves" into the CoViD-19 pandemic, with many belatedly coming to the realisation that these things generally stick around for a while whilst the world figures out how to contain, if not eradicate an existential threat to our existence. Last year marked the tenth anniversary of the passing of the late, great Norman David Gilchrist. This year, the Golden Stave Foundation, which David was a long time supporter of, will mark the tenth anniversary of its David Gilchrist Challenge, named in his honour. Earlier this year, a close friend of Bald Gilly received an alarming health diagnosis. With these two developments front of mind for Bald Gilly, in addition to the primary fundraiser which will always support Love Your Sister, Bald Gilly will be matching all donations (up to the fundraising total stated above) by donating the same amount, spread evenly between the Golden Stave Foundation and Mark Hughes Foundation. This means that if this fundraiser hits its target before 24 October 2022 (AEDST), Bald Gilly will contribute $1103.50 each to both GSF & MHF. To officially kick off the campaign, Bald Gilly himself will make a donation on this page, and as with previous years, this donation WILL FORM a part of the agreed matched donation amount. About This Year's Additional Benefactors: The Golden Stave Foundation was established in the late 1970's by members of the Australian Entertainment Industry. Over the past 43 years, it has supported children's charities through its annual Luncheon event, with it's Annual Golf Day now in its 30th year, having only had to cancel the event twice in 2020 due to the initial onset of the pandemic, and 2022 due to adverse weather conditions. Since the Ambrose competition was renamed in David's honour, the Golf Day has been represented by the family by both Shaun & Adrian Gilchrist in player and volunteer capacities respectively every year, with the only exceptions being Adrian's absence in 2019 due to illness, and the cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2022. Bald Gilly and the Gilchrist family is honoured to continue to support The Golden Stave Foundation's efforts to make a lasting difference in the lives of children. The Mark Hughes Foundation was started in 2014 by Mark Hughes (an ex-NRL footballer) and his wife Kirralee after Mark was diagnosed with brain cancer. Having looked into the funding received by brain cancer treatment and research in Australia relative to other forms of cancer, meaning that very little research was done into treatments or cures for brain cancer and, as a result, not much has changed in the shocking brain cancer mortality rates over the past 30 years. Recently, a close friend of Bald Gilly, who has asked not to be personally identified, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. There are many brain cancer / tumour related not for profit organisations, even within Australia, and Bald Gilly's love of NRL seemed the perfect fit to support a friend in need with a quiet nod to the game he loves. Over the past ten years, through your generous donations as well as Bald Gilly's donation matching in recent years has collectively raised tens of thousands of dollars to honour the memory of a one of a kind, dearly loved and missed husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and confidant. This year's page was published in mid July 2022, and will be officially launched on 22 July 2022, the first birthday of his beloved granddaughter Chiara, whom David would have loved with all his heart. Last year, the amount donated to the campaign total by Bald Gilly was symbolic as it was Chiara's DOB reversed. The overall total target as well as Bald Gilly's initial contribution to this page continue to reference the day that the light of our lives came into being. As always, thank you once again for the difference you have made. Not just in the lives of those supported by the not for profit organisations you have donated to in the past 10 years, but the light you have brought to the heart of Bald Gilly and the extended BG Family, which you have become a part of in your support.