On the 19th April 2018 my father was tragically killed in a light aircraft crash. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, of that there was no doubt.

He had never planned for his retirement, or future - he left behind no insurance, savings or any provision for his 74 year old wife or his two beloved dogs.

His dogs were his passion, like his wife they too are grieving his loss, waiting for him to come home. Sadly Jess, a border collie suffered a stroke and is on expensive medication for the rest of her life, the other grieving so much she has caused an injury to her tail. His love for the dogs prevent them being given to a charity - they are too old to be rehomed and would spend the remainder of their days in a dogs rehoming centre. They are also a final link to him and parting with them would mean losing another part of her husband.

The insurance is £500 to cover both dogs, along with food costs - walking them twice a day is exhausting for my mother.

The day to day costs of living are a terrible strain on my mother - wondering how she can afford to keep her dogs, and herself. She was forced to work until last year aged 73 and has worked since she was 16 to provide for her family, now she is without a husband and without enough money to feed herself and her 2 dogs.

If anyone deserved a break and a helping hand it is my mother - every pound or penny helps, and will go a long way to easing the burden of her loss.