January 19th 2010

I must remember - tomorrow is my aunts 80th birthday. Yesterday through the article in the South Wales Evening Post we had offers of another 2 sewing machines and material. I was despairing at the end of last week that we would not have enough material but Alan Powis brought us some from the Ethel Street events committee which tided us over the weekend and yesterday The National Autistic Society, namely Alun and Claire together with 2 of their clients, Ben and Brian brought us some rolls of just what we needed, beautiful material. Thank you all. I also had a visit at the Community Centre in Cilfrew yesterday from a gentleman by the name of Laurie Brophy. He had been looking for me in the village and the jungle drums were bouncing by the time I got home. A strange man searching for me, but he found me and came to offer his assistance regarding my costs bill I am paying to Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council at the rate of £9.75 per week for 14 years or until I die. This amazing man is taking part in the 4 deserts endurance challenge and wanted to raise funds to pay off my debt. It was amazing that this mild mannered lovely man who will be 78 next month and flies out to Chili soon is to take part in this challenge and also intends to climb 2 volcanoes while in Chili and wanted to help me because of the injustice he felt I had been subjected to. The mind boggles at acts of human kindness such as this and I was humbled and stopped sewing at my sewing machine to have a cup of coffee and swap e mails with Laurie who will now become one of our heroes :) Yesterday our factory line we set up in the Community Centre worked for the first time, except I had visitors all day. But we have our system, we have material, the world is our oyster and our target is achievable. Watch this space.