URGENT FUND RASING

Title: I have advocated for others; let me advocate for myself. What happened to Raymond Fernando? “I am a 73 years old author and mental health advocate, and prior to her passing, caregiver to my spouse of 40 years. I resigned from my broadcasting job and dedicated 40 years to caring for my beloved late wife who battled schizophrenia and depression for almost all her adult life. My caregiving experience enables me to educate the public on mental health issues and it has made me passionate about it. To make ends meet, I started my literary career, and my books have allowed us to make ends meet for the past 2 decades. Age catches up with us all, and I lost my wife in 2013. Thereafter, it became increasingly challenging to find platforms that supported book sales. I was badly hit when we went through the COVID pandemic in 2020, when the religious organisations where I previously sold my books stopped allowing me to do so. While I still write about subjects, I am passionate about, it has been hard to sustain my livelihood and I have been depleting my savings to make ends meet. Presently, I struggle with several chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. While I took these in my stride, the recent diagnosis in August 2023 with Magnetic Gait severely affected my mobility, placing me at high fall risk. I am still active as a mental health advocate, with my most recent contribution being a sharing on mental resilience at the Australian High Commission this month. I do this, in spite of my physiological challenges, with no remuneration, because I firmly believe that we need to take care of each other. How can you help? In my time of need, I sincerely ask for your support for my daily living expenses. I am seeking more secure ways of financing myself in the long run, and these funds will buy me time to do so.” Your support of $3,900 will help cover Raymond’s monthly expenses on meals and transportation for 6 months ($650 x 6 months). Find out more about Raymond Fernando For his advocacy efforts, Raymond Fernando has been conferred several awards from many institutions and organisations, the most recent ones being the “Pioneer of Promise Award” by the Silent Heroes Management & the “Patient Caregivers Award” by Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Find out more about Raymond Fernando on his social media platforms: LIST ● : Facebook ● Blog: Ray of Light Find Raymond Fernando featured in other Youtube videos: LIST ● Living with a schizophrenic for 40 years - YouTube ● Raymond Anthony Fernando - Silent Hero Story | 2022 "Pioneer of Promise" | Singapore Silent Heroes Notable awards Raymond Fernando has received: LIST ● “Model Caregiver Award” by AWWA (2010) ● Mental Health Champion Award (2011) ● Traffic Police Award for road safety poem