Help Sharon publish her childrens books

Hello there,  My name is Sharon and I am fundraising for myself and my project. I am a 49 year old Scottish artist living in Southern Ireland. I have worked hard all my life in minimum wage jobs, ranging from fish factories to care homes, farms to oil rigs. I decided to follow my heart and dreams of becoming an artist and joined art college in my later 30's.

 I completed my Masters in Fine Art in 2016 in Dundee, Scotland with Distinction which made me so proud considering my background. I then decided to move to Ireland to focus on my career and work towards making a living for myself doing what I love most in the world. However, life throws us all kinds of stones, big and small, and I am also guilty of throwing a few too in front of my path. But, after struggling again with low paid, demeaning work and having up to 3 jobs at a time, I could not find the time to create what I desired so much.

 Everything dramatically changed for me then in 2019 when I fell really ill with an auto immune disease called Ulcerative Colitis, a bowel disease. I lost my jobs and found myself on a social welfare, I was devastated and lived through some really dark times. I picked myself up and after some time of recovery, I opened up my funds and chose to use it to buy everything I needed for my studio to set myself up.

 I discovered that my disease was actually a silver lining because I was able to work in amongst my own creative space and really make a go of it. I started to create children's art work in the form of fairy doors with my own unique designs and intense colours. Of course that lead me to children/adult colour books using the same idea, I have a lovely collection made up and have dedicated my time working on my project. I have so much passion and dedication for these future books.

 So, now I have sent off my work to several publishers and one in particular has shown a keen interest but the process has been so slow and I find myself in unfamiliar territory. This past year I have accumulated so much debts with trying to survive and materials to continue my work in the hope and deepest desire that my book will be published.

 I am now at the stage where I could lose my home, and all my belongings and most importantly all my art works and book work, currently I am on my second book and so passionate to finish it. I am about to lose everything in my life that I have strived and fought for not just through my diagnosis but all my life. I know there are far worse and more serious situations out there and I am grateful for what I have in my life, even now at my most vulnerable. I am in need of help now, my situation is critical, it was a friend who led me to this site to share my need for assistance.

 The funds will be used to clear my loans, pay my rent, food and bills, and to top up the materials I need to continue my work, and support me until I publish my own books. I can't even hardly express what this would mean to me to receive help, I have cried and cried like anyone else would but I am not willing to let this go without a fight. I love what I do, and I know the kids and adults also love what I do, I would cherish more than anything to have my work up in children's bedrooms and families working together colouring in my fairy doors.

 I believe in my work and I believe in myself, this is why I have chose this path, I jumped without a net, I took a leap into the unknown because I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't. Some may say it was irresponsible, stupid, immature to use up their funds to chase a dream, but I would rather die than never try. I put myself in this serious position and if I am meant to lose all that I have then this is my own fault, but I will also do everything now to avoid that happening.

 I am asking for help, I am pleading for it, and if you can donate something, anything then that is something special because you believe in me and what I am trying to do. I believe everything happens for a reason, I believe if I don't try and just lay down and submit then that's just giving up on my life, that's a waste and a crying shame. Your support means more than you could ever imagine, and I also strongly believe in paying forward. I know in the deepest parts of me I will return and always will, what I receive.

 Thank you so much if you have read my words, understood my cause, and even felt something toward my situation, even if you do not donate, thank you for taking the time in your life to read my story, as far as I am concerned that in itself is a positive action towards me. If you do donate then I am utterly in awe of your kindness and understanding, and how precious you are to be able to open up and help me, I find it utterly astounding and overwhelming. To all of you out there, a huge, huge heartfelt thankyou. Thank you. Thank you.

I want you all to join my journey and follow me through my progress, and those of you who send a smaller donation under €100 will receive five postcards of my coloured doors as a thank you.  Those who donate up to €300 will receive one of my mounted fairy doors of your choice.  Anyone willing to donate up to €500 will receive a selection of postcards and 3 mounted fairy doors of your choice.  Lastly, of course everyone will see what their money is going towards.  Anyone who is willing to donate over €500 will of course receive my first book signed and a selection of postcards with 3 mounted fairy doors of their choice.  These I want give back to you as a real thank you for your support.  I do not have family but I would love more than anything for all children out there to enjoy my work and adults too.  I want to spark their imaginations and inspire them also, take their minds to another colourful world.