To friends, family and those who have a chance to help someone in need.

My son, Anthony, aged 35, has autism and co-morbid mental health conditions, and has been living in an assisted living situation in New Zealand for the last few years as he struggles with independent functioning. Recently, his physical health has also rapidly deteriorated, and he has had multiple heart attacks over the last couple of years, which have left him with 20% operating capacity and from which he is still recovering. Finding ways to gain his independence despite his physical and mental health barriers so he can access and interact with his community is critical to his well-being.

After Anthony's most recent heart attack, he was able to access his super to purchase a motorbike, which was life-changing for him. Finally having that one avenue of freedom after living for years of limited access to the outside world made him feel like he had something to look forward to in a day and helped pull him out of a deep depression. However, not long after he got the bike, it was stolen from his front yard. Police investigations were unable to retrieve the bike and it has been considered lost. This has left him completely devastated. He has no savings because of his circumstances, and after finally getting that freedom and access to his community, only to have it snatched away, he is struggling to cope. The impact on his mental health is very concerning to us as the stress of the situation can have serious life-risking impacts on his heart health.

Anthony has described how this has impacted his mental health:

'I'm here, I'm lonely, I'm broken, I'm crazy and I'm dying. I don't know what to do anymore and losing the bike took the last bit of fighting strength I had left. This is my last desperate reach out for help now"

If you are able and willing, could you please help Anthony raise funds for another bike.

$5000 will allow Anthony to purchase a bike, registration and insurance.

I am currently on a student benefit while studying at uni and I am unable to help Anthony myself, so I am reaching out to anyone who can.

Thank you for taking the time to assist my son to enjoy whatever time he has left.