High-flying financial adviser Harry Bingham gave up a glittering career that took him all over the world to look after his desperately-ill wife, writes Zahra Borno.

The 32-year-old, of Iffley Road, Oxford, has dedicated his life to caring for Nuala.

Nuala, also 32, suffers from a complex viral disease, which affects every part of her body, including her nerves, muscles and digestive system. It leaves her lacking energy and unable to look after herself.

Her immune system is so badly affected she is vulnerable to every bacterium and virus that comes her way.

After graduating from Balliol College, Oxford, Harry landed a high-powered job in the City which took him on 100 business trips abroad each year. He had a fantastic career ahead of him, advising businessmen on buying and selling companies, but the couple discovered Nuala was suffering from the energy-sapping disease myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). By 1996 the viral disease had begun to take over and Nuala was becoming more seriously ill.

Devoted Harry knew he had to put his marriage before his career - and gave up his job to care for her.

He has become responsible for running the home and nursing Nuala, with the help of only a part-time cleaner.

It was a tough decision to make, but Harry said when it came to the crunch he didn't hesitate.

He said: "I thrived on my job in the City and really enjoyed flying all over the world. It was quite a high-powered job but when Nuala became really sick I had to get my priorities straight. "There was no way I could have continued with my job with Nuala as sick as she was.

"She is the focal point of my life."

Nuala said: "I felt huge guilt that Harry had to give up so much. I knew how much his job meant. Having Harry at home, however, was the kindest, nicest thing.

"I used to think I'd lost everything that makes someone feel worthwhile.

"But I still feel human because that's what I see reflected when I look into Harry's eyes.

"Whatever depths and curious rewards this illness has brought, we would never choose it. Day-to-day life is harder and more wearing than I would wish on my worst enemy."

While Harry was nursing Nuala he decided to fulfil a childhood ambition and write a novel. He said the book provided an important refuge when the strain of looking after Nuala took its toll. He said: "I would have gone crazy if it wasn't for the book. I used to write it when I was sitting by Nuala's bedside.

"Part of me has had problems with adapting to my new life. It just goes to show you can never predict how things will turn out."

The book, called Money Makers, tells the tale of a multi-millionaire who dies leaving a bizarre twist in his will.

It took 18 months to write and has just been published by HarperCollins, at £5.99.

Picture on the home page of Harry and Nuala Bingham is used by kind permission of Woman and Home magazine.

Story date: Friday 11 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.