Your first thought is probably "what the bloody hell is she up to now?", closely followed by "now what does she need help with?"

Well, it's partly your fault, you lovely people.

The boost in self-confidence of having a rollator that feels less like I'm sinking into old age and more like I'm giving this life thing a second shot has led me to think not only what else can I do, but what is stopping me?

And the answer to that is absolutely nothing.

Except a £1000 deposit.

I have just submitted an application for the Voice Study Centre's two-year part-time MA in Voice Pedagogy.

I've got a good few days of form-filling ahead to get a student loan, and also Disabled Students Allowance, which will help me with equipment. All good. No problems there.

What I don't have, this having been a rather last-minute decision, is the £1000 deposit I would ideally need within the next fortnight to secure my place. If you could help me get even halfway there, I would be incredibly grateful.

What are you going to do with it? Aren't you supposed to be ill? Resting? Not working at all?

The position with the DWP is that I am under no obligation to look for work, whilst still being allowed to work as many hours as health permits.

Teaching singing and all things voice geek keep me sane. They also help.

(Here, have a useful chart)

When I'm teaching, my pain levels go from a 5-6 to a 2. I feel normal. I remember what it's like to be useful, to be good at my job, and to have a function. It's brilliant.

So I want to be better at it. And I want to research that therapy factor so I am not only the best teacher I can be for my 'normal' students (although I think that's maybe 1 or 2 of you...), but those with additional pain management requirements or learning needs.

And OH GOD, I need to use my brain. I need need need to use my brain.

So can you help me? You can be sure I'm eBaying junk (but not the cat) behind the scenes as the last time I was a student, a pint of lager was £1.20 and the Three Tenors were linked forever with the Last Time We Were Quite Good At Football (although the Lionesses continue to school the Lions in competition). That's A Good While. So this isn't a whim, even though it's a last minute decision. It's going to be hard, but I've been talked through the support system and it looks amazing. I don't doubt that I will get any and all accommodations that I need over the next two years.

Once again, I'm sorry to ask so soon if you can dip into your pockets again, and I promise I will get that Ko-fi up and running soon to drop nuggets of wisdom into the ether.