The heartbreaking story of 91-year-old Harold. He'd…

The heartbreaking story of 91-year-old Harold. He'd rather die than ask for help with bills

A few tins of beans in the cupboard. That's all one 91-year-old can afford after using the rest of his state pension on the cost of living.

The widower from Stockport has worked his entire life, but has compared his living situation in 2022 to the aftermath of the Second World War - when people could scarcely afford to eat.

He is just one of thousands of people living below the poverty line, who is being supported by Pride of Manchester winner, James Anderson - who runs a charity providing free heating and plumbing services to those in need.

James is using Twitter to document the heartbreaking reality of whose who are struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis, in a bid to raise awareness of the gaping cracks in society.

He visited the pensioner at his home in Stockport this week, after being contacted by a concerned friend. James told the Manchester Evening News he was left devastated by what he found.

"He had three tins of Tesco beans and a pack of spaghetti in his cupboard and that's it. He gets state pension but doesn't want to owe anyone anything so it leaves him on the absolute minimum because he's got to find the money for the extra cost of living," James said.

"He said he doesn't want to be begging people for money and doesn't even want his neighbours or family to know that he's struggling. He'd been brought up with the mantra that no matter what you don't owe people money.

"When he let me have a look in his cupboard it was devastating. It's so sad that we still have a stigma in this country that because we are British we should have a stiff upper lip and not say anything. People are dying and suffering because of it."

James, who runs his company on the help of donations, says he stocked the man's fridge and cupboards with essentials, and has agreed to help him look at how he can reduce the cost of his energy bills.

"When I looked in his eyes I could see that he was lost," he said. "He says it feels like the world is going back to the World War when people couldn't afford to eat.

The cost of living is soaring (Manchester Evening News)

"I explained to him that it's likely the bills are going to go up again this winter and he just looked at me and said if I have to go and join my wife (who passed away) at least I won't be on the street corner begging for money.

"That really got me. Wanting to die because you can’t afford to live is the lowest we can make someone feel. You shouldn’t want to die because you can’t afford to live."

James fears the situation for pensioners like him is only to get worse this winter, as the cost of gas and electricity is expected to rise again, and is calling for decisive action to be taken by the government.

"We need to do something but so far it's falling on deaf ears," he said. "It's getting worse but that's why we are here to pick up the pieces. We are turning into a third world country. People are living in third world poverty in Britain now."

A pensioner shops in Stockport town centre (Manchester Evening News)

A spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "We recognise the pressures pensioners are facing and all pensioner households will receive £300 to help them cover the rising cost of energy this winter, with those on Pension Credit getting a further £650 cost of living payment.

"This is in addition to the £150 council tax rebate for the vast majority of households, and £400 discount on their energy bills. We also provide additional annual support through Winter Fuel Payments while a third of our Household Support Fund is dedicated to helping pensioners with the cost of everyday essentials.

"We want to ensure pensioners receive all of the support to which they are entitled and continue to work with stakeholders to increase awareness of Pension Credit, and the wide range of other benefits it can provide."

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