This is my beautiful daughter Jo; funny, kind, hardworking and loving. The first photo was taken for her twenty-first birthday when she was working as cabin crew for an airline. The second photo was taken a few weeks ago.

She was prescribed an anti-malaria medication called Lariam. This is banned in many countries (though not the UK) because of its known side effects including serious mental health problems. Within a month, Jo wasadmitted to hospital and diagnosed with PTSD/schizophrenia.

Despite stays in a couple of NHS hospitals Jo has never fully recovered. Now she is sleeping rough in London, delusional, isolated and desperately fearful. It's heartbreaking.

I have found a lovely private clinic which specialises in treatment for her condition and would treat her first with medication and intensive therapy as an inpatient and then with additional weekly therapy as long as it's needed. The initial cost is £7,000 per week.

I live modestly on a state pension and a small amount of income from my writing. I can afford to help Jo with small things - a winter coat, or a pair of shoes and a hot meal when I manage to see her. But I can't help her with these vital medical costs.

So I am asking you to help; friends old and new, my family, and kind-hearted, generous strangers. Every donation, no matter the size, will give Jo a chance at a happy and productive future.

Thank you for reading my story.

PLEASE HELP ME TO HELP JO.

Your kind donation will be so much appreciated. It will be made to a designated bank account set up entirely for the purpose of helping Jo by paying for her medical treatment and any small associated costs such as clothing and travel if necessary. Any funds left after Jo's costs have been covered, will be shared equally between two charities, The Living Room in Stevenage which has been a wonderful support to me, and Homeless Action in Barnet which does marvellous work with the homeless in north London.

If you're unable to donate but would still like to help, that would be great. You could share Jo's story in your social media or with friends and family. Thank you!