Hi friends,

I’ve been going through some extremely difficult life changes this year which has resulted in a situation where I had some pretty big expenses and have since been living check to check. This week, the amazing animation and VFX studio I've been working with for nearly five years has sadly closed its doors due to continuous project delays and I now find myself out of a job - one that I loved very much. In fact, it was the best job I ever had.

The process of receiving final pay, unused holiday and redundancy pay can take several weeks, which means I won’t have enough money to cover my December rent and expenses. I’ve never done anything like this before and it makes me a little uncomfortable, but I don't know where else to turn. I don't want to borrow from anyone because I don't know when I’d be able to pay it back. I was *barely* getting back on my feet when this news hit. My family is pretty financially strapped and has to deal with their own high cost of living in the US so I don’t want to ask them (plus my brother is already flying me home for Christmas). I’m hoping I can get enough small donations from friends to help me through this tight spot.

This money will cover rent, council tax, gas and electric, internet, phone and food for the month.

Anything extra will go towards buying me a used laptop so I can look for a job (open to any leads!). My 15 year-old Macbook is dead and I've been relying on my work laptop for personal use for the past couple of years but of course I now have to return it. On that note, if anyone has a spare to loan, it would be most welcome.

I appreciate any help from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for helping me retain a shred of dignity during this painful transition period.

(Photo is the view from the window of my lovely little flat).