Raise money for Allison’s plane ticket to the UK

Hi, my name is Allison and I am 19 years old.

Last year, I travelled to the Philippines to reunite with my birth mother. Although it was originally planned as a one-year visit, my plans have changed. I am hoping to attend university here in the Philippines in August 2024. However, before then, I aim to return to the UK for 6-7 months. This is to, of course, see all of my friends and family who I have missed dearly, but more importantly to save money for university accommodation and to receive radioactive iodine treatment or surgery for my thyroid.

I have struggled since I was 16 with a hyperactive thyroid condition (hyperthyroidism), and Grave’s disease. I have faced a range of symptoms due to my hyperthyroidism including extreme fatigue, increased anxiety, heat intolerance, cysts in the thyroid, sleep problems, and heart palpitations. This condition has massively impacted my life both physically, and mentally.

When I first began showing signs of the condition, I was in my last year of high school (UK). I faced difficulty waking up in the mornings for school as I regularly could not fall asleep until around 5 or 6 a.m. I was so incredibly exhausted all of the time, and no matter what I did this exhaustion would not go away. I tried everything. When I occasionally did manage to wake up for school, I would be so tired that I would sleep on the bus to school, during lunch break, and throughout the majority of my classes. It happened so regularly that my teachers stopped trying to wake me up and let me sleep.

The Grave’s disease that accompanies my Hyperthyroidism, has also led to abnormal pressure behind my eyes, forcing them to protrude. At one point, I struggled with this to the point that my eyes would uncontrollably push out, and on more than one occasion they almost popped out of the sockets. My doctor informed me that if they were to pop out, and I couldn't receive treatment quickly, I would become partially - completely blind. Still, I carried on with my thyroid medication hoping that it would eventually tide me over and I would no longer need to take so much medication. However, while my Hyperthyroidism was resolved for a few months last year, it has since returned. Even if I become healthy again, I can never be certain that the condition won’t return.

Initially, I was reluctant to receive permanent treatment for Hyperthyroidism, as the removal of my thyroid could damage my vocal cords, and radioactive iodine treatment could make me infertile. Doctors also advised me not to get these permanent treatments. However, it has now come to a point where I realize I cannot allow this condition to continue damaging my health and life. It's important that I can thrive and succeed in my university studies without this condition affecting me. While permanent treatment for my condition/s will cost between 40,000 -75,000 pesos in the Philippines, as a dual citizen, I can receive this treatment for free under the NHS in the UK. My family is not rich, nor am I, hence why this would be a massive help for us.

Additionally, while in the UK, I will get a job. I aim for at least 20 contract hours a week. I will get paid significantly more money working in the UK, compared to how much I would earn here in the Philippines. Furthermore, my lack of fluent Tagalog, the primary language of the Philippines, may hinder me from getting a job here. Accommodation in Manila is expensive compared to the average daily wage in the Philippines. I will not be able to raise enough money here, and my family does not possess enough money either. I need to be able to rent accommodation near my university, as I do not live near it. I live in the province, while my university is in the capital city. I am confident that residing in closer proximity to my university will massively benefit my studies. I want to do well in school so I can get good jobs in the future and provide for my family. My mother has worked extremely hard her entire life, and one of my biggest wishes is that she can retire soon so that we can make up for all the time we missed out on when I was younger.

The amount of money I want to raise is a rough estimate of how much a suitable flight will cost me. As flight prices fluctuate, I cannot accurately predict the overall expense. Upon research, I have found that economy one-way flight prices to the UK vary between 25,000 - 75,000 Philippine pesos (sometimes not including additional luggage fees). The final price is also entirely dependent on what month the flight is booked, if I haven't raised a significant portion of the money by the start of ovember, the flight prices will have increased even more then. Therefore, I have chosen for there to be no limit on the amount of money that can be raised. If the final cost of the flight is less than the total donations, this additional money will be used for luggage fees, or transporting my property from UK-Philippines through postal. This property is that which I was unable to bring with me to the Philippines when I initially came here. As I now reside in the Philippines for the foreseeable future, I must transport that property here.

I have friends and family to accommodate me in the UK, so additional accommodation costs are not a problem. I will hopefully fly out by December 2023 and return to the Philippines in July 2024. Any amount of money you can donate is very appreciated, and I promise I will use this opportunity to the fullest. Although I may not be able to one day return the money you have so kindly bestowed, I will be eternally grateful for your generosity. I will never forget your kindness and the blessing you have given me and my family.