I met Dharshani and her family 17 years ago. I was on holiday in Sri Lanka and she lived with her family in a shack on the beach. On my last night there I found an abandoned 8 week old puppy tied up and abandoned on the beach. I was desperate to find someone who could care for it. Even though they had almost no money, Dharshani's family agreed to take in the puppy. Since then I have tried to repay their kindness, especially after they lost their home in the 2004 tsunami.

Dharshani is bright and intelligent. She wanted to train as a nurse but she never had the chance because she was needed to help run the home. An Italian charity provided them with a new apartment built with tsunami aid money. She has always wanted to marry but traditionally the bride's family must pay for the wedding and there was never enough money available for this to happen.

Now Dharshani has an offer of marriage from a lovely guy and it is planned for September this year. She needs to raise at least £300 (60000 rupees) to make sure the wedding happens and she asked me if I could help. This is probably her last chance to marry and start her own family. I asked for help for the family in 2004 and my friends were so supportive. Now I am asking again for any help you can give to this lovely, kind hearted young lady to live the life she deserves. If you can spare maybe £5 or £10 it would be so helpful.