AN APPEAL has been launched to help a former Exminster publican who has suffered a stroke and a brain haemorrhage.

Mel Bowden’s life has been dramatically changed and her declining health means she now needs a wheelchair.

Now her friend Helen Gale has set up a Go Fund Me appeal to raise £1,800 to pay for a wheelchair and power lift chair two give Mel some mobility and support her independence.

In less than 24 hours, the appeal had raised more than £700.

Helen said: ‘We are trying to help Mel who is a pillar of Exminster community.

‘We are hoping to raise funds to help pay for a wheelchair and Powerlift chair that will give Mel the mobility and support she needs for her daily life.

‘Many of you may know Mel as the Landlady from the Royal Oak in Exminster or as the Bar Manager from the Stowey Arms in Exminster, but most recently as the lady who has set up Exminster Supporting Exminster, to help our community and local organisations.

‘For those of you who know Mel, you’ll know that she doesn’t accept charity or help easily so sharing this is incredibly difficult for her.’

After leaving the Royal Oak last year and moving to Matford, Mel suffered a brain haemorrhage which she was lucky to survive although she spent two months in Derriford Hospital and some time in a coma.

Mel explained: ‘I was incredibly lucky to survive. I was also very lucky to have amazing friends and family who surrounded me with love and protection throughout what I can only imagine was one of the most frightening and difficult times of their lives.

‘But I survived and through a lot of hard work and determination, I began getting better and life was slowly returning to normal.

‘Then, bang, a new illness, a new diagnosis and a much more difficult outcome.

‘There’s no simply getting better this time.

‘Accepting that has been an incredibly hard journey, and it’s one I’m still on but I’m gradually getting there.

‘There are many changes ahead for me and my family as we learn to live with our “new normal”.

‘I don’t need sympathy, I just want to get on with my life.’

She said everything has to change from her home, furniture even her clothing and shoes.

She needs adaptions to her home and specialist equipment.

Mel added: ‘These are all things I’ve never had to consider before, and unfortunately, they all cost a lot of money.

‘For once in my life, I’m holding my hands up and accepting help from others.

‘Becoming disabled is something I could never have imagined happening to me.

‘It feels a little ironic when I’ve spent so much of my life helping other people overcome obstacles and learn to accept themselves. Now it’s my turn to learn how to accept help.’

She thanked everyone who is helping and her daughter Scarlett who, she says, has shown ‘unbelievable’ strength and resilience.

Mel said: ‘Thank you to everyone, it means far more to me and Scarlett than I could ever properly put into words.’

To donated, go to: https://gofund.me/6f3acb5ec