These houses would be specifically aimed at taking in young people like Lisa who have relapsed into their mental illness and need constant care and heartfelt attention in a comfortable and safe environment but hopefully only for a short time period. Each house will endeavour to be as much like a home as possible and thus hopefully provide for a faster recovery.

Jane believes , and it has been suggested in studies, that this kind of care and treatment is much more beneficial than bouts of hospitalisation or even parental care, which can sometimes be ineffective, although well intentioned. It can also be cost effective.

The funds to acquire and run such a house are in the region of £250 000 per year and Jane has sadly discovered quite recently that none of this money can be obtained from centralgovernment through the Mental Health Trust as their care policies have effectively ring fenced any “care in the community” funds to the support of carers who are often parents or relatives. A specialist housing project such as is Jane’s goal does not qualify for government funding. All the money will have to be raised privately. This is a daunting task.

Jane, however, is not easily put off and in an attempt to become more effective, she has formed a steering committee from volunteer friends with the express purpose of sharing the load associated with running the fund.

She has the endurance of a human dynamo, a vision that verges on obsession and has already organised many successful fund raising events with the help of friends and local businesses and has racked up several thousand pounds for the fund. To date, fund raising activities have included: Fashion Shows, Musical Events, Sponsored Walks and the sale of Quality Jewellery.

 However without government support these activities are inadequate and the whole fund raising process needs to step up a gear. One of the functions of the steering committee is to act as a brain storminggroup to devise new and more effective ways of raising money and winning over more hearts and minds to the plight of young people like Lisa who are suffering from mental illnesses.

How can you help?

It is with this in mind that we seek your assistance. We are currently devising some interestingand creative fund raising approaches in conjunction with the local College of Art that could yield more significant amounts of money and support in a very effective and high profile manner. This is where help from celebrities could be an absolute god send.

We realise that most media personalities lead busy lives and that many of them already give abundantly to charity. In view of this fact we are currently looking at a few possible fund raising schemes that would place the burden of only a few minutes on their valuable time but could help to make the difference between life and death for many young sufferers like Lisa. These youngsters are part of our future and an interest and concern for their well being is what makes us special.

One in four people will be affected by mental health problems at some time during their lives and young people, who are just beginning to face the many pressures that twenty first century living brings, are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. With your help we can begin to make a real difference to the attitudes and support that is so desperately needed by some of our children and possibly our children’s children who may at some point suffer from mental afflictions.

This is not a large charity but it has big ideas and if you feel that you could be of some help to us and would like further information on the fund raising approaches mentioned earlier then this would be of immeasurable assistance and encouragement to us.

I*The Croftlands Trust is a local charity organisation that provides a range of services to people in the community who are suffering from severe mental health problems. (Registered Charity No 1074684)

Janes Story:

 As a mother, where can you go from there?

Jane owned and was running a successful restaurant. She had also been associated with the MacMillan Nurses charity for some time and decided to put her experience to good use such that Lisa’s life and certainly her death would not be in vain. She founded and now runsher own charity in her daughters name (TheLisa Bertoletti Sanctuary Fund) under the umbrella of a local mental health charity TheCroftlands Trust*. Although she still maintains her MacMillan associations she has been campaigning relentlessly to raise awareness and equally as important, money in an effort to prevent others from treading in her own daughters fatal footsteps. At present the charity supports a therapist who gives therapeutic support to the carers of mental ill health sufferers. But this is only the beginning.

The main aim of the Sanctuary Fund is to provide safe and secure houses in anycommunity including around the clock specialist, intensive care.