SINCE her early teens, cerebral palsy sufferer Wendy Taylor has celebrated her birthday by helping others.

Each year she has asked for charity donations instead of presents and with the help of her parents Margaret and Derek has hosted a fundraising Coffee Morning on her special day.

The family's selfless efforts earned Wendy an MBE in the 1998 New Years Honours.

Next Wednesday, November 3, she will be 38 and once more her home, 6 School Lane, Nantwich, will be an open house for serving refreshments and fund-raising.

But this year the aims are a little different. Instead of helping others the Taylors will be asking for some help for Wendy.

She needs to update the computer that gives her so much pleasure and the ability to communicate.

"It is her main way of expressing herself but the equipment she has at the moment is very limiting. A more up-to-date model would open up doors for her. For example she has poor eyesight and a large-letter printer would make life so much easier," said Mrs Taylor.

Spasms in Wendy's arms prevent her from controlling a pen or pencil so the computer is a vital means of expressing herself. She presses the keys with a stick held in her mouth.

A Worcestershire company called Ability Net have agreed to assess Wendy's computer needs and help with tuition but to purchase the equipment the family will have to find around £2,000.

That's a lot of money to find even for champion fund-raisers like the Taylors who, over the years, have netted more than £20,000 for good causes including Wendy's schools, Nantwich Parish Church, CP research and the RNIB and its Talking Book scheme.

"We have agonized about asking for help for Wendy. Seeking money for others is a little different from asking for help yourselves. But we have already had a good response from supporters. The new computer fund is underway and we raised £130 in July and £280 in September," said Mrs Taylor.

The computer Coffee Morning and Open House next Wednesday, November 3 is from 10am to 4pm.

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