146 - Drier and dehumidifier for family with leaking windows - Dec 2023

 We know Christmas is such a difficult time for so many and we are pleased that with donation 146, we have been able to help a family who are having a really tough time. 


Our member told us about a lovely mum she supports who has children ranging from 20-3 years old.  She’s doing an absolutely fantastic job and her kids are testament to that but at the moment she’s struggling. 


She was rehoused 12 months ago, as a priority, due to domestic violence and has been really lucky to have got a four bedroomed council property.  Space wise it is great, the problem is the windows are in such a poor state.  


When it rains, which it never seems to stop, water pours in underneath the frames in the living room, kitchen and two of the bedrooms.  The window frames themselves are very poorly fitted which causes massive draughts but on top of that most of the windows have large cracks and holes in that the wind just blows through.  


As a result of this she has a problem with damp and mould.  The council have been to look and it’s a bigger job than just patching things up and have agreed they all need replacing but, have said as a minimum this will not be started before next financial year.  


The younger children are constantly off school with colds and bad chests and mum herself is struggling as she has asthma and the damp and mould are affecting this.


With such a large household, as you can imagine laundry is a never ending task. Drying washing in the house is contributing to the damp and mould.  Our member asked if 500 Together could possibly help towards buying her a heated dryer and a dehumidifier which would help her massively until the council replace the windows.  


She’s really struggling with her mental health and feels like nothing can be solved because of the council budgets but it's having such an impact on her everyday life. 


We hear so many awful reports of such dreadful conditions in poorly maintained council housing - it really is heartbreaking.  We are so pleased we could help purchase a heated dryer and dehumidifier and sent £500 to the family - £380 for the purchases and a little extra toward the running costs, along with our very best wishes for the festive season and the new year.  We have heard back how touched the mum is by the support of our group.  Once again our donation is so much more than the financial gift and we feel honoured to be in a position to help out.  



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