I'll try to stay succinct and to provide a vaguely compelling writing style: I thank you sincerely for taking the time to read this. Please, do bear with me as it's from the heart:

My name is Leo. I'm a very proud NHS trained and qualified Clinical Audiologist. I have been trained by, and worked with some of the very best; indeed some of whom are respected worldwide for their academic and/or clinical performance prowess; within my profession that I love. I am, I assure you, a healthCare professional. I'm the guy who'd look for the best value when I spent four years dispensing hearing aids, having left the NHS due to my disenfranchised outlook brought about by 'NHS Austerity measures'...

I'm asking fo help because, frankly, I'm now struggling. I have a dream for a rather (very) unique business model that could be upscaled almost exponentially across the UK. The company/business model is something that cannot, I'm advised, legally, be protected from copyright infringement. So, really; I need to try to hit the ground running; part of the £30k is to recruit members of my team in key densely populated UK areas to maximise earning potential for the business. I have the branding, the contacts... just not the funding to make this shake up the whole marketplace.

I am 40 years old this November. Sadly, between 1996 and 2018 - the past few months, in fact, I have been plagued by mental health issues. I was too afraid to access the help I needed for fear of the stigma, I myself perceived in my own naivety... And so it began, 20+ years in my very own (self made??) inferno.

Suddenly, having recently accessed the correct support - taking that brave step to admit that I had an appointment for assessment by an actual, real, qualified and respected psychiatrist.... myself ever the worrier; terrified what might be said/found.

Forgive my tangent, I am prone to being too verbose. I'm saying that I'm the guy who has been through tough times and has more recently lost his job because of a freak accident at home. It was either splat Max, my beloved black cat, or hop to the left. I hopped to the left, slammed my skull into my ceramic ensuite sink, badged my head a second time on the cupboard door below and finally onto the hard floor resting against the base of the toilet. My date - thankfully, trained and placed me in the recovery position - possibly saved my life: I was out cold for 40-50 seconds and broke two left ribs when my torso landed on that hard wooden thing I bought to step out of the shower on to....

I'm needing some help. All of my personal money has been ploughed into developing my business idea. It is extremely unique, innovative, fun and furthermore aims to demonstrate what a guy who struggled with mental health issues for 20yrs plus can do in 2018; his 40th year. The business aims to provide a unique donation as a percentage of annual net profit as a fixed percentage annually; I'm yet to approach the charity involved but hope they will agree. The charity concerned is quite large but, most importantly to me (having bounced around Britain feeling like the Littlest Hobo for many lonely years) - the charity I wish to raise money for focuses upon the local community.

I stumbled upon where I now love to live, Shoreham by Sea in West Sussex. I love my home; something I have fought hard for, finally getting on the property ladder three years ago this summer.

If anyone would like to support me, I would be grateful. Present situation: I'm friends with the food bank. Two cars to sell. EBay next step, also car boot sale. Need to raise money for company car (deposit paid, £6.5k outstanding), audiology testing equipment (11-17k) and small Directors salary to help keep mortgage repayments up. I am also trying to do a bit of good here and am happy to blog with a charity such as Mind. You see, I never gave in - it took me twenty years, but I'm here with this brilliant idea that could really make a difference... all through what I have self taught myself through many an early hour via my smart tv. You'd be amazed at just how underestimated the BBC's Apprentice and Dragons' Den are as useful learning tools. Unlike some of their participants; I have taken the time to try and LEARN from previous transmissions. I could never have a go on the Apprentice - too many arguments. Even Lord Sugar finds himself palming. So, any backing from Lord Sugar is out...

... but, if there IS someone out there, willing to take a punt on a passionate NHS qualified clinical audiologist who wants to help local communities nationwide, please.... please help me launch this very innovative enterprise. I'm even getting messed around trying to get my logo finalised and can't afford an upgrade... could anyone out there please help me with that too??

I guess this really is also an experiment: will the British public assist humble me, a disenfranchised healthcare professional who is hard up - having lost his last job (LEGALLY) 14 days into sick leave BECAUSE I WAS ON PROBATION. That wasn't especially helpful given my fall on 2 May and today is 17 July... and finally I can get up off my bed and tie my shoe laces without any dramatics!

... So, this is also the little guy trying to show 'em what they fired and what I can do (unique marketplace perspective being my trump card). Being underestimated has helped me to learn from being around others' mistakes. Underestimating myself for many years, however, is my main regret. Now I'm ready to move forward and help the Post-Brexit British Economy and hopefully encourage other wannabe entrepreneurs to also take their own fledgeling steps into the world of commerce!!

Best Always

Leo Dante-Schneider MSc MSHAA RHAD

NHS Qualified Clinical Audiologist and Director of Sound Prospects LTD.