Cover costs of hiring a carer.

Hi, my name is Andrew McKean and I live in Australia.

In our quiet, modest life, my wife and I have always found joy in the simple pleasures - a cup of tea, or watching the birds at the feeder. Now, at 87 and 84, the prospect of a holiday by the sea, just two hours away, has become a beacon of hope and a dream we wish to realise. Without a car, and with our bodies not what they once were, this dream seems almost out of reach.

We've managed already to raise enough for the rental of a cottage by the shore, a place where we can hear the waves at night and feel the sand under our feet. But our savings fall short when it comes to the care we need. I can no longer manage the stairs or walk long distances, and my wife's health has taken a turn that makes a journey like this daunting without aid.

We've found a carer, someone kind, with a gentle touch and a patience that matches our pace. Yet, the cost of her time, and the petrol for her car to take us there and back, sits like a weight upon our plans. Thus, we've turned to the community again, to the heart of the internet where people gather, to ask for help.

This fundraiser is personal; it's our story, one of love, age, and the longing for one last seaside adventure. We're not asking for much - just enough to bridge the gap between our dream and its reality. It's for moments like watching the sunset together, hand in hand, with the carer ensuring we are safe and comfortable. It's for the memory of the sea, which we wish to keep with us in these later years. Every little bit helps, and we hope, with a bit of kindness from others, we can make this journey.