Hello everyone, my name is Maria and you are my very last hope. Please read my story to the end, I promise I will be brief. My husband and I were both computer teachers, after 7 years in the same school together, he started to suffer from depression, I loved the school. In an attempt to help him we moved to a different school, he lasted 2 whole days, then he resigned, without telling me. So for over a year there was only one wage coming in, we started to get into debt but I nursed him over this period as best I could despite the extreme stresses I was under in a school with major discipline issues. To cut a very long story short, he believed that leaving teaching would help with his depression, so we hatched a plan to open our own businesses. He wanted to develop mobile apps and I had decided to open a special women's clothing shop. Regretfully 2 weeks after giving up my teaching career and opening my business, my husband decided to leave me after 27 years of devotion from me. The timing was really bad, as I needed all my energy to make a go of the business. I had what some people might call a meltdown, I couldn't focus on anything and as a result the business has not got off to a very good start. I would like to appeal to you to help me at this time, because I have come to realise that my business is much more than a shop to my customers. I stock ladies fashion in sizes 8 to 32 in my boutique. The range of customers has astounded me and I feel very humble serving them after listening to some of their own life stories. Several older ladies come to my shop because they are unable to use the Internet to order their size online. Other customers have never had the confidence to wear a dress before. I feel very privileged to witness this fundamental change in a customer’s self-worth. I am also providing an important service for local Transvestites, they are able to come to my shop, relax, chat and try on lovely outfits in a comfortable and friendly non-judgemental environment. I believe that I provide a valuable local service for all sorts of people and enjoy every customer experience. Curvy ladies are not represented in any high street and high street names simply pay them lip service, I really want to make their shopping experience enjoyable once again, instead of the embarrassed and disappointed feeling so many experience when shopping for themselves. So for curvy women of all shapes and sizes I ask you to support my ability to restock my shop which would allow me to boost the confidence of many individual customers. I am currently covering the cost of my rent, I have not taken a wage as yet and my husband has withdrawn financial support, despite only finding myself in this position due to him. I am unable to access funding through banks due to the short period I have been in business. I am embarrassed that I am approaching you with 'cap in hand', but that is how much I believe in this shopping concept. I and my customers thank you from the bottom of our hearts.