It feels like a hard thing to do, to ask for help. I wrote a 4 page document explaining many of the reasons why I feel the need but I've decided that the most important thing is that I asked my friends if they think this is a good idea and a lot of them replied saying "I'll help". So, with huge thanks to them and a leap out of my comfort zone, I'm asking for monetary help this year. If you'd like to know more about the why, please feel free to send me a message.

Thank you so much for wanting to helping me get myself and baby Rei to the UK this year. I want to take lots of pictures of him with his British family and friends so that I have lots of memories to show and tell him as he grows.

Babies under 2 cost 10% or less as long as they share their guardian's seat on the plane.

I hope to travel through China as this is most affordable. My husband will cover as much of the plane ticket as possible and the rest plus trains, taxis, busses, food and such expenses I hope might be assisted by my loving friends and family.

And don't get me wrong, I'm well aware that travelling such a long distance with a young baby will be a mammoth task. But I've determined that it's important for myself and Rei and will be worth it.

Two years ago, some lovely friends set up the same kind of thing for me. Last year, I was able to take myself on a very cheap flight I discovered myself. Next year, I hope we can fund my trip ourselves and at some point in the future, hopefully we'll be able to travel as a family.

I love living in Japan, I'm aware that it was me who left the UK so you might not want to help me get back for trips such as this. But in fact, it was the pandemic that changed my life, saw me live here long term and make roots. Despite working for more than half my life and paying all dues as required, I have unfortunately not been blessed with anything such as maternity payment here in Japan and though a work each weekend, the money I earn must go to government fees. And such, though we recently got married, we have not yet even imagined a wedding nor honeymoon as taking care of our new baby's needs on a budget should come first.

It's hard to have a baby when living so far away from your friends and family, especially as a first time mum. So, if you feel able to help me 'fill my cup' with support from those lovely people for a few weeks this year, it'll help a challenging year for my new little family, feel that much easier filled with love and gratitude. And I'm sure my mum and brothers would love to meet their first grandchild and nephew.

I can't wait to tell my son how much he has been loved and taken care of by our 'village'.

Thank you