Please help my unwell Dad to stay mobile and see his children

My Dad's name is Howard and he is 56 years old. For many years my Dad has struggled with extreme stress, anxiety and depression, and now also suffers with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a condition characterized by long-term fatigue and other flu-like symptoms; including muscle pain and weakness that limits a person's ability to carry out even ordinary daily activities. The doctor has advised my Dad that there is currently no known cure for M.E and that even though his symptoms may be mildly alleviated with painkillers and anti-depressants he will most likely be affected for the rest of his life.

Being self-employed, working long hours is extremely challenging for my Dad. Income is low, the worry of which only adds to the effects of his condition, causing disordered sleep, as well as poor memory and concentration, making simple daily tasks considerably more difficult. Some days my Dad finds himself feeling so unwell that he is confined to bed due to the debilitating fatigue of painful muscles and joints.

Given his significant health and mobility issues, and being without transport of his own since his car broke down several years ago, there is no doubt that my Dad needs as much help and support as possible. But with us, his 3 grown up children, living more than 100 miles away, help is not such a simple matter.

The limiting effects of my Dad's condition makes getting from A to B by means of public transport, with lots of walking between buses and trains, no longer a realistic or sensible option. This leaves my Dad feeling isolated and unhappy, and us feeling helpless and frustrated. When all is said and done, just as we love our Dad, so our Dad loves us back, and knowing how he is unable to travel to important doctors and hospital appointments, or to see us without becoming even more unwell, is extremely concerning and upsetting for us all.

Determined to help I stumbled upon this website and after reading some of the amazing appeals launched by other people I found myself feeling uplifted, inspired and swelled with enthusiasm.

Holding on tightly to these thoughts, and because having his own reliable transport is vitally important and an absolute necessity for my Dad, I decided to launch my own fundraising appeal. Monies donated will go towards helping my Dad to pay for repairs to his existing vehicle which broke down several years ago when the timing chain unexpectedly snapped causing extensive damage to the engine estimated at well over £2,000 to repair and which has since stood unused for such a long time that the tyres have now cracked and deflated, the brakes have seized, and mold has been growing on the interior upholstery throughout the colder winter months - or to pay for a small replacement vehicle which Dad can use to more easily travel back and forth to the doctors, the hospital, and to see us, without the need for exhausting journeys by bus and train. Any additional funds raised will be put towards my Dads ultimate goal of moving closer to where we live, permanently reducing the time and money needed to travel back and forth.

"Thanks for taking the time to read this; I hope you can find it in your heart to help.”