Hello, my name is Liz Cullinane and for the past five years, I have been inspired to raise funds for an extraordinary couple, Given Rozell and C.C. O'Hanlon.

At an age when most people have already settled comfortably into retirement, Given and C.C. have been compelled by circumstances to live nomadically, first ashore — in Germany, the UK, Ireland, Morocco, Spain and Italy — then aboard a small, 50-year-old sailing vessel named Wrack. Their slow voyage southwards along the Atlantic coast of Europe in search of somewhere to settle has become a kind of performance art, expressed in the poetic, diaristic prose and photos that turn up daily on social media.

Given and C.C. are far from being 'influencers'. Shelterless ashore, they struggle to stay afloat with meagre finances and fend off the increasing pressures of age (C.C. turns 70 this year) and chronic illness. They lack a legal residence anywhere and have neither pensions nor access to banking, social support or medical services.

The simple object of this appeal used to be to provide support for Given's and C.C.'s uninsurable health needs, including prescription medicines and medical care, as well as the basic requirements of keeping an old boat — their home — afloat. However, a year of serious illness, including C.C. having a heart attack after a voyage from southern Spain to Sardinia, has driven them to return ashore. They are currently staying with their son in Rome while they try to muster resources for a fixed home of their own, somewhere.

Like so many others, these days, they need our help.