Hi my name is Reny and I'm fundraising for tuition for university. I'm currently doing a Nursing degree at the Bridgwater & Taunton College and UWE Bristol, they collaborate together in Nursing. I'm currently on a placement in a GP surgery in Ilminster working along side with the district nurses.
I decided to embark in a life changing journey to help people live better lives. There are three key moments that completely rearranged my perception of life.
1. In February 2020, right after the lock down I got covid while working as an HCA in Plymouth Derriford. I nearly died and was the most terrifying experience in my life.
2. In early 2021 my beloved sister 43y/o succumbed to covid in the most traumatic way. My family was not allowed in the hospital and during the funeral only 6 people were allowed without hugging or comforting each other. I couldn't be there.
3. In February 2022 my beloved wife Sally suffered an aggressive aneurism while looking after her elderly mother Doris (98 y/o) and she was flown from Exeter RD&E to Plymouth Derriford in an effort to save her life. She was saved, and still has an ongoing treatment, but since she has lost the sight on her right eye and she suffers from hypertension, and cholesterol and she is taking medication for it. She became so dependant on me for everything, because she is scared to walk alone, she already has fallen twice and broke her ankle just to add more drama to the situation.
I ended up leaving work to look after my wife and her elderly mother. Which is another dramatic part in my life. unbelievably, I started to work in the RD&E Hospital in Exeter in order to be able to pay bills and to learn more about care in a professional setting. After a year working I decided to enrol at university and filled for student finance. Half way my first year I was told by Students finance I don't qualify. I also enquired with university if they can allow me access to the NHS bursaries for student Nurses and they rejected my request saying, that because I was rejected by student finances I won't be having access to NHS help for student Nurses. Which doesn't make any sense to me.
Luckily, they haven't kick me out of University yet and I'm still doing my placement which I love. The district nurses in Ilminster do a tremendous work with so little resources, they have inspired me even more to push through and continue my Nursing degree some how.
The issue with Students nurses is that we besides out tuition we also have 2 placements a year in the community and in Hospital and could be anywhere within somerset, which mean a lot of extra money. I have to commute every day at 06:30 all the way from Exeter to Ilminster and back. Petrol prices are horrible, and food, bills and everything in between. My little saving are nearly gone.
I decided to sleep in my car but the district nurses in Ilminster were so concern about my wellbeing, but I explained that I'm determined and do whatever it takes to complete my Nursing degree. The whole of district nurses team had gather together and donated me an old ambulance that I will convert into a campervan in order to sleep there during my placements and save money in petrol and food. I still pick up 1 or 2 shifts during the weekend with a care agency, but I'm starting to feel physically and mentally tired. I'm still looking after my wife, which I adore, she is the best thing that ever happen to me, I'll do anything for her and will never ever stop looking after her.
I initially thought to start this fundraising for the whole of my studies, but it seems like is so difficult to get any help even here. If you are an individual or organisation, I'm willing to exchange work now or once I register as a Nurse. This country is in such a big trouble and we need Nurses more than ever and it doesn't make sense how this government doesn't assist people like myself to become Nurses knowing that will be beneficial for the greater good of the country.
I don't really know what else to say, there is so much more to it. Please don't hesitate to ask or request any documents, I can provide my enrolment docs, my wife also is willing to provide some docs about her aneurism.
Thank you for reading this. Also, I want to apologise if I sound like a crying baby, It is what I feel and what I'm going through.