My husband had a breakdown in 2009. He was diagnosed as bipolar at the age of 36. It took six years to discover the right mixture of medication for him. Over the past 10 years he never gave up or gave in to the dark harmful thoughts that plagued him, telling him to harm or kill himself. With the help of our NHS psychiatric nurse and the ARC Centre he discover his incredible talent for art and ceramics.

So through those terribly dark, depressing and frustrating years of trying to find the right treatment for his bipolar he was diagnosed with hemachromatosis and arthritis but continued to work to ensure his time was not lost to illness. He went to college and got his diploma in art and then went on to University and got his degree in Fine Art and Sculpture. The Uni helped him with his severe dyspraxia as well as offering a counsellor for his mental health problems. He managed to get a job before he graduated Uni with a charity that helps people with disabilities get in to employment and he still works with them as a Community Carer. He helps his clients create art and animations.

I am starting this fundraising account to try to get him a small kiln. Ceramics is his talent and he loves creating sculptures but he no longer has access to a kiln. If he had one of his own he would be able to devote his time to doing what he loves and he would be able to sell more of his work and put more of his sculptures in to local galleries. He wants to go back and do his Masters of Art degree so he can teach but has not gained a place because he hasn't been able to be productive in the past year or so.

I won't lie, being my husband carer the past 10 years has not always been easy. But through it all he has never given up, he has worked hard, helped raise his children and remains one of the most loving, caring and compassionate people I've ever had the fortune to meet.

Any help you can offer would be so gratefully received.