Help Anita breathe with an oxygen converter

Hello lovely people, my name is Anita, I am 46, and a single mother of two children, Tate, 9 and Vincent, 12. I have suffered with a rare disease called Scleroderma for over twenty years.

Scleroderma is a rare connective tissue disease which causes hardening of the skin tissue and attacks internal organs. For me this severely affects my lungs. I have developed pulmonary fibrosis (lung disease), which prevents oxygen getting into the blood stream. This causes acute breathlessness, preventing me from living an active life.

I am hoping to raise the money for a portable oxygen converter machine. I have been using oxygen tanks which are provided by the NHS. These have been a life saver for me, enabling me to collect my children from school, do household chores and go for short walks, however, they are quite heavy and I’m only little!

The other day I was on the train back from Hastings when my tank ran out. I’d saved half the oxygen for the journey home but it was gone, possibly because of a faulty valve. All I knew was there was no way I could manage to get up the slope at Waterloo East and continue my journey home from London Waterloo without assistance. Several Google searches and failed calls later, panicking and with increasing brain fog, I was no closer to a solution. Eventually, I was able to contact the train guard who arranged a wheelchair transfer for me.

Seeing the oxygen level at zero, especially miles from home, is not an experience I ever want to repeat. A portable oxygen converter would enable me to get out of the house and live my life more independently, take my kids to the park etc, without limitations. Without the worry of suddenly becoming breathless and incapable.

Anything you are able to contribute would be greatly appreciated. Please like and share this campaign with your friends - and join us for a fundraiser at The Lamb in Surbiton on Saturday 15th July.

With my sincere thanks and gratitude,

Anita x

Thank you!