Hi.

We are the Harris/Forsyth family. I am Kate Harris, my husband is Andrew Forsyth, and our kids are Seb and Rigby. 

We are Canadian.

We have been living in the UK since the autumn of 2010. We loved living in London, but we moved to Southend-on-Sea to get more space for less money. It was the best move we could have made - Southend welcomed us with open arms and open hearts. 


Most people aren't familiar with the immigration process - it is complicated and expensive. And we are some of the lucky ones! Andrew has "Right of Abode" thanks to his British parents. It is a little like he is practically British... but, unlike actually British people, he can't pass it on to his kids. 

So, every 2.5 years, the kids and I have had to go through the process of extending our Visas... and each time we have had to pay more and more in application fees. The next time our Visas expire (May 2017), we have three options:

1) Re-apply for FLR(M) - a 2.5 year extention to our current Visas.
COST*: £3933 (£2433+£1500 NHS surcharge)
2) Apply for ILR - Indefinite Leave to Remain.
COST*: £5625 (one time fee)
3) Move back to Canada

*Based on fees as of March 2016 - could increase again before May 2017 - does not include associated costs such as photos and fees for biometrics (approx £150-200)

Obviously, we are desperate to stay. We love our adopted country to bits and really do see ourselves growing old here.

Andrew LOVES his job and the kids and I ADORE the community we have built here - plus we have our house with amazing landlords, all of our pets, our bikes and books and friends.


We just need a little help. 

I've set our target as the full amount we expect to need to pay for our ILR. Of course, we will also be saving all our pennies so that we can contribute too. Andrew and I both sell things we make and the proceeds from those activities are earmarked to help with Visa fees. If you wwould prefer to buy from us than just give, check us out here:

Andrew: http://verywoodythings.com
Kate: http://kaatlijne.com

If we meet our target BEFORE May of 2017, we will start the application process early and with luck, avoid the next round of fee increases.

Thank you so much for reading all of this and wanting to help!