Dear Friends,

As many of you know, our beloved Stuart had major heart surgery. in September. As heart surgeries go this was a massive operation, due to the fact that his aorta had dilated to a dangerous degree, growing bigger to cope with forcing blood through the existing mechanical heart valves he has lived with for years already. That Stuart has already undergone two open heart surgeries previously for a congenital heart issue made this more complicated and as you might imagine, also required a great deal of courage to face this for a third time.

The surgery went well, but Stuart's recovery has been hampered by a very painful pericardial bleed and then life threatening infection. They are most definitely not out of the woods yet, and Anita is having to care for him during this time. Due to them both being self employed and have not been able to work these past few months, we are asking for more support to help them through this time. Anita will need a few more months, and Stuart even longer, before they can work again.

Donations will be used to cover bills and essentials and if possible future body therapy to support recovery. The stress on both of them psychologically and emotionally has been significant, on top of Stuart's physically recovery.

A bit about Stuart...

During his decades of work as a hedge layer, tree planter, carpenter, forest school facilitator and artist, Stuart has lived generously within his communities, volunteering for local re-wilding and woodland work. He is passionate about nature and how the natural environment affects health and well-being and has worked professionally and voluntarily with people with profound mental health needs within this context.

Throughout his life so far, Stuart has lived with a robustness and vitality that belies his heart condition. He also navigates his challenges with light heartedness, humour and courage, all of which is immensely inspiring.

With Stuart and Anita's permission and gratitude we have set up this GoFundMe to help relieve the financial stress they are facing and help cover living costs and treatments to support Stuart's return to health. We hope we can come together as their wider family to support them both in every way we can. It takes a village, and now is the time for us to express this in a very real and meaningful way.

Thank you for your contributions, big or small, for your thoughts and prayers and for sharing this fundraiser far and wide: all of which makes a huge difference and is very deeply appreciated.

With thanks and love,

Matt & Josh