Struggling families across the UK are turning to fundraising appeals to help pay for basic needs, such as heating and food, as the cost of living rises.
Households have had no choice but to tighten their belts over the last few months as they struggle to pay essential bills amid soaring prices and an inflation figure that is expected to reach a forty-year high by autumn. Thelma Spalding is just one of thousands across the country who have been backed into a corner where they are unable to work, but are struggling to pay for those essential needs, such as heating.
A similar story to many, the former nurse is "freezing" as she cannot afford to heat her home, often being forced to stay in bed, the Mirror reports. A fundraiser was launched to help the former NHS worker who has "looked after us" after her heating bill for just one room is due to rise to £99 a month.
READ MORE: Martin Lewis admits being 'scared for people' in cost of living crisis update
David Babsky set up a Go Fund Me page to help Thelma, when he saw her story in a recent BBC report. David said he was reduced to tears when heard how the former nurse, who is reliant on assistance from carers and needs a walking stick, was unable to afford to turn on her heating.
David said Thelma’s heating bill for just the one room is £44 a month, and is due to rise to £99 a month, something she will not be able to afford. After seeing her story, he sent Ms Spalding a cheque to help with her bills and set up the Go Fund Me page, which has so far raised more than £1,000.
He said in a video: "Thelma is freezing. She lies in bed freezing because she can't afford to heat her home. She needs our help." When David visited her, he said she was "immensely grateful" for people's donations.
On the fundraising page, he wrote: "Please contribute £100 or what you can, to give Thelma the ability to pay her heating bill this year, to not have to spend each day in bed simply to keep warm, to be able to afford food, and to show her that she’s important to us. After all, she’s looked after us, she worked in the NHS."
According to the Mirror, a separate fundraising page was also set up for a woman called Marilyn, to help her family "survive" the rising cost of energy. The page read: "Honestly I feel so embarrassed at having to do this, but things really have gotten bad and I just have nowhere to turn now."
Food, fuel, council tax and energy prices continue to spiral, with workers also paying more national insurance from this month, adding 1.25% percentage points to every contribution they make.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has been criticised for not doing enough to help people with soaring bills, including claims he blocked changes to the £200 energy ‘loan’.
It follows the biggest squeeze in living standards since the 1950s. A loan of £200 will be offered to households this winter but it will have to be repaid over five years. A £150 council tax rebate will also be offered to households this month, but only if you live in bands A to D.
