To all who have replied to this thread.
Just a bit more background and my decision!!
I have wanted to fly helicopters for a living since I went on a 15 minute pleasure flight in St. Lucia years ago. I got the money together to do my Private licence, and went to Heliscott in Yorkshire for a half hour trial lesson. I came home five weeks later with the licence.!! Solo at 11 hours and test passed at 38 hours. That was back in 1994 but I still don't wish to do much else except instruct. I'm studying for my commercial licence at the minute and will achieve that now because of the feedback and support I've had by e-mail etc from the ppruners!!
I will not work for free if it can be helped but I would do the odd hour here and there to help out without compense. I certainly don't want to take someones livelyhood away from them. To reply to another comment here. If a newly qualified marine engineer could come and do my job and offer to do it for nothing then a/. he must be mad. b/. he's welcome to it.
Needless to say there is no comparison between the two jobs. Working in an engine room at 40 degrees C or looking out of a cockpit from 2000'. Anyway, I will continue to stay current and keep my fingers crossed for a miracle or same.
Thanks all for the advice and comments.