This time last year, I was reading physics at t ETH Zurich, one of the world's foremost universities for science and technology. But my time at ETH came to an abrupt end when my younger sister passed away unexpectedly in London, aged 13. Having lost my father some years before, it is just me and my mother now. I decided to return to London - where she lives - so that she and I can support one another.

When I received an unconditional offer to start again at Durham University, I began to feel quite hopeful. But I have just received the difficult news that I am not eligible for student finance support for Year 1, because I am not a first-time student, having studied at ETH before.

Confused and unsure about what to do, I have hung on the phone all day to Durham and to Student Finance England (SFE).

I have explained that I did not receive financial help in Zurich, having supported myself by working 20-hour weeks at a supermarket. In fact I have worked for three years now in landscaping, babysitting, dog-sitting, tutoring and primarily at farmers' markets. My weekends invariably start at 7 in the morning.

I also explained that I had lost my sister very recently.

All my explanations and appeals have made no difference. The upshot is: I will get no student funding for my first year at Durham, although SFE will support me in the second and third years of study. The absurdity is that the reason my appeals were rejected (even though exemptions are usually made in cases of bereavment) is that exemptions are only made for people who had received a loan for their previous study (which I was not entitled to as I was studying abroad).

My first year of tuition costs £9,000. We simply don't have this money.

I have never asked anyone for a handout in my entire life, it was not how I was raised. But I know I need to get a good degree, and I need help to get started.

Please help me by donating as little or as much as you can. Every little bit will make a difference to my future. Thank you for reading this, and thank you for your support.

I am grateful for you.