Over a year ago, I left an abusive relationship and found myself abandoned in northern Portugal with my two small dogs, very few possessions, and no idea how I was going to survive.

For more than twenty-five years I worked as an Executive Management Assistant, managing senior executives, complex projects, international logistics, and high-level administration. Yet after years of emotional and financial abuse, I lost not only my financial security, but also much of the support network I once had.

At my lowest point, someone I had never expected stepped forward to help me. He is an extremely private person who wishes to remain anonymous, and I will always respect that decision. What matters is not his identity, but his kindness, humanity, and the support he gave me when I had nowhere else to turn.

Over the past year, I have helped him wherever I can through administration, organisation, customer communication, and supporting the day-to-day running of his small mechanical workshop while rebuilding my own life.

The workshop has genuine potential to grow, improve its facilities, expand its services, and eventually employ additional staff. However, like many small independent businesses, growth is often limited by resources, time, and the inability to invest in improvements.

This campaign is intended to create a bridge.

The funds raised would help:

• Cover my basic living expenses for several months.

• Allow me to continue supporting the business while rebuilding my career.

• Improve the workshop environment and working conditions.

• Support additional training and business development.

• Create opportunities for future employment and growth.

How the funds will be used

€5,000–€6,000 will cover my living expenses for approximately six months, allowing me to focus on helping the business grow and create a more stable working environment.

The remaining funds will support workshop improvements, training, business development, and the foundations needed to create long-term employment opportunities.

This is not a request for charity without purpose.

This is not a request for rescue.

I am asking for help building a future. It is an opportunity to transform an act of selfless kindness into something sustainable: a stronger small business, new employment opportunities, and a future built through honest work.

The man who helped me never asked for recognition. He simply helped because it was the right thing to do. My goal now is to honour that kindness by helping build something lasting.

If you are able to contribute, thank you. If you are unable to donate, sharing this campaign would mean just as much.

Sometimes one person helps another survive.

Sometimes, together, they build a future.

Over the past year I have also written a book about my experiences of abuse, survival, and rebuilding my life. While the full story is long and complex, today my focus is on creating a stable future through meaningful work and helping grow the small workshop that gave me safety when I had nowhere else to turn.

I still have my skills, my experience, and my determination. What I need now is a bridge between where I am today and where I can once again become financially independent.