Mary is a dear friend living in challenging conditions, which she meets with amazing wisdom, cheerfulness and pragmatism. She gives a huge amount to others, despite multiple sensory and physical impairments due to an accident.

Mary helped establish the pioneering organisation People 2 People Shropshire, which empowers individuals to have more control and choice in their lives. Their holistic and empowering approach has influenced social services nationally. She also runs activities at the Shrewsbury Buddhist Centre and is a friend to many there.

We are trying to raise £8000 so that Mary can go ahead with building work and live with more independence and safety.

Her home is owned by a housing association and she has a secure tenancy there. The work will cost £38,000 and £30,000 is available from a Government Grant, but only if she can raise the rest.

The building work will make a massive difference -

- getting in and out of the house independently. At the moment Mary has to wait till someone is there to move a ramp into place. She would love to be able to go out, on her own, when she needs to

- getting in and out safely. Using the ramp is a pretty lurchy business which Mary tackles with great patience and effort

- a downstairs toilet. The downstairs toilet is too small so Mary has to use the stair lift several times a day, increasing the chance of having a fall

- preparing meals. The kitchen layout makes it hard for Mary to safely get food and drink

- getting around the house. This currently involves lots of 3 point turns, reversing, cuts and bruises.

The Grant need was approved 18 months ago, and after many sagas and delays, we thought it was finally going ahead …then Mary got a letter saying they won’t start the work until she provides evidence that she has the additional £5,700 for the main building contractors.

We have until May 10th to raise £5,700

The remaining £2,300 (for flooring & kitchen refit) will be needed in June