Our wonderful friend Lydia was recently diagnosed with late stage melanoma. For several months she has been receiving treatment at St George's Hospital to gain some respite from the cancer's debilitating effects. As the cancer has spread to the spine and brain, she is experiencing severe migraines and sickness alongside neurological complications like visual impairment, hallucinations and seizures.

Lydia, her boyfriend Jake and their cat Rangoon are currently living together in Streatham,' They are trying to enjoy every day and do what they can to keep moving forward with their lives and concentrate on the things that matter;' family, friendship and each-other.

With this money, we seek to offer Lydia financial support so that she is able to remain at home living the best quality of life possible. This may include additional nursing and respite for her boyfriend Jake who is now her full-time carer. By alleviating some of the financial burden inherent in long-term illness we hope to give those closest to her the peace of mind to focus solely on Lydia's well-being instead of worrying about finances.

I could tell you a life-time's worth of stories' of what a caring, loving and wonderful person Lydia is, but I wouldn't even be able to come close to describing how much she matters to us all.

Lydz is a music therapist who helps children with learning disabilities to communicate with the world around them. She has seen first-hand in her work how small moments of expression and joy can drastically alter people's lives for the better. Through your support it is these little moments that we are trying to help cultivate.

At present, immunotherapy is the most effective treatment for melanoma but due to the severity of Lydia's cancer it is unclear if this course of treatment will be possible. There are however other treatments available. These range from the homeopathic to more experimental procedures not currently available in the UK, which come at a heavy cost. We hope that Lydia becomes well enough so she can pursue further treatment but, at this time, the future is very uncertain and complications can arise very quickly. Please be aware that any money raised that does not contribute to Lydia's well-fare will be donated to a charity of Lydia's choosing.

Please help us keep this wonderful girl smiling and living her life to the fullest

Yours sincerely

The friends &family of Lydia Jenkins xxx