Hi my name is Amanda and I'm fundraising for the repair to our kitchen roof. I've never needed to ask for help in this way before but sadly I have to now.

I met my husband Paul 31 years ago and we soon moved in together before having our son. Paul worked full time during the day and I had 3 bar jobs in the evening so we could cover childcare between us. When Paul was made redundant, he became the main childcarer and I worked full-time. During this time he began his antique dealing business during school hours.

We continued this arrangement, me as a full-time Civil Servant and him as a self-employed Antique Dealer until 7 years ago when our lives were turned completely upside down

I got home from work to find Paul collapsed after having a massive stoke caused by a bleed on the brain. We were told he may not survive! Despite this we kept positive, even when he didn't know who we were, and visited him twice a day every day until slowly he began to recover. After a long 7 months in hospital, I was finally able to bring him home. Things were very different however, Paul now needed a wheelchair and due to his physical and mental difficulties, I had to leave my job and became a full-time carer.

6 years ago we moved to our current home, which has a layout more suitable for Paul's difficulties than our previous house.

A year ago, the kitchen ceiling sprung a leak so I advertised the job on My Builder and paid a building company almost £900 to repair the roof.

5 weeks ago our roof began raining in again and caused damage to the ceiling. I made a claim with my Home Insurance company, who rejected my claim stating the damage was due to wear and tear and previous poor workmanship.

I have applied to the council for an emergency grant but there is a 6 months plus waiting list. I have also applied to the Civil Service Charity for a grant but I'm making very little progress with that.

I'm now at wit's end. When it rains, it pours in by the cooker and washer so I have to switch them off, and I cannot do anything in there without getting dripped on.

It is getting progressively worse, the area of wet plaster is spreading all the time and it isn't a safe room to be in.

I hope somebody reading this will be able to assist me with is and allow me to be the best wife and carer I can be for my husband.

Thank you for reading x