WHEN Crockett Cresswell looks in the mirror he sees red.
But he will have to get used to it – his bright crimson hair and beard are here to stay.
While he will be sporting a new red look the 42-year-old is planning to see a trimmer figure in the mirror.
Not content with letting Kate Williams-Brown dye his hair red at AJs Hair Salon in Cainscross to support The British Heart Foundation, he is also determined to run the Stroud Half-Marathon this October.
It is no small challenge for Crockett, who weighs 20 stone and has spent the past two years battling ill-health.
In November he had an operation on his heel and has only recently been able to walk without crutches.
Crockett says he can now manage a mile walk into town and back.
But he is determined that, by October, he will be able to run the 13 miles of the half-marathon and that his weight will be back down to 14 stone.
"I'm hoping that this year will be a new chapter," said businessman Crockett, who intends to start a blog charging his progress.
"This year is going to be about getting fit and well again and raising money for a good cause."
Crockett has not shaved since last October's Stroud Half-Marathon and says he will not pick up his razor again until this year's event – when he plans to run with half a beard.
His red transformation marked the start of National Heart Month for the British Heart Foundation.
Stylist Kate is chairman of the newly-established British Heart Foundation Fundraising Group in Stroud.
"Heart disease kills more people in the UK than anything else, I want to draw attention to it and help to raise money to fight against it," said Crockett ,who runs his own website design business Sartori Creative.
"Crockett's a great sport and it's fantastic support for the charity," said Kate.
To support the fundraising campaign visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/rockupinred.
