I have the privilege of living across the road from Valerie and Brian Ward, who are amongst the most inspirational people I have ever met. They were both born in London in 1935 and they got married in 1956. They never had any children. At the age of 50 Brian got ill and ended up in a wheelchair, paralysed from the waist down. Valerie, ever his faithful companion, is his sole carer.

10 years ago when they were 71, as a result of macular degeneration, Brian lost his sight completely. They have remained close, with Valerie doing everything for Brian, despite her having her own health problems (including a heart bypass). One of the things that gives them both respite is Brian's twice-weekly trips to the council day centre. She gets him ready, wheels him to the front of the house, waits until the coach comes, gives him a kiss goodbye and waves him off. It is beautiful to behold.

One of the high points of the day centre trips for Brian, was that he got to use a computer which with a headset and specialist software enabled him to write books and poetry, as he says "to keep my mind active". Well, 10 months ago the computer packed up and with council cuts it hasn't been replaced. So the day centre trips are not the same.

They have said that they would love to get a computer that had the software on that Brian used to use, for Brian's use at home. It would literally be a godsend to them. They are long since pensioners and there is no way they could afford it and so I'm trying to raise the money that would enable me to purchase (on their behalf) a Dolphin Guide package which includes a laptop, software, headset and printer.

One way or another, I'm going to make this happen for them, and if there's anyone that wants to contribute I would be truly grateful.