Scots families left without 'money for food and heating' this winter, says charity

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Scotland's biggest children’s charity has helped deliver millions in cash lifelines to the most hard up families.

Aberlour's Urgent Assistance Fund has given more than £3.3million directly to families in just four years to help buy food, heating and clothing. The average payment is £306.

The charity's fundraising appeal to relieve poverty this winter begins today, with every pound donated directly helping families through the crisis fund. These are just three of the applicants who have benefited.

Sandra's story

My son goes to school in shoes that let in water and is cold for the rest of the day. It is making him ill and he is picking up every cold that’s going around.

He's exhausted all the time too because his mattress has springs poking through it. Some mornings I find him on the sofa. His wee sister is still in nappies but it’s hard to buy the baby things she needs.

Even the clothes to keep her warm are beyond me. A warm jacket is what she needs most of all. Winter is coming and my children are exhausted and freezing. It breaks my heart. I am doing everything I can but it is never enough, not even close.

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Neil's story

My wife is not keeping well since I lost his job. She’s been diagnosed with anxiety and is going to orthopaedics for severe nerve pain. We are in terrible debt. We haven’t been able to pay our mortgage so owe £20,000 and are being chased for £1500 in council tax.

After feeding our children and trying to keep the house warm, we haven’t got a penny. I live in dread of the house being repossessed. I have no idea where we would go.

Us and three children out on the street in the middle of winter. It’s unthinkable but I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s the only thing I can think about. I'm just scared. Every day, every minute, I'm terrified.

Margaret's story

My flat flooded because of the upstairs neighbours and my daughter’s bedroom was badly damaged, the beds and the flooring. The hall too. I don’t have a penny to spare but have been trying to fix things up. It’s still like a bomb site though.

It's a cold, cold flat and so poorly insulated. The damp causes mould. You clean it and clean it but it keeps coming back. It smells so bad.

I've got a prepaid gas meter and am spending a fortune just trying to keep the place warm. Christmas is terrifying me. I don’t even have money for food for my kids never mind presents. It's so tough, never-ending.

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