A mum forced out of work after she was struck down with cancer says the cost of living crisis left her family feeling like they were having to ‘beg’ for help.
Camilla Wild, 31, was stunned when a blood test just before Christmas revealed she had Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.
The mum of one nearly died as she developed septic shock over the festive period - but when she survived and came round, her first concern wasn’t her health, it was money.
As the higher salary earner between herself and partner, Ian Clark, and having used all their savings during maternity leave with one year old son, Joshua, she claims it would have been ‘months’ before they lost their house in Bristol.
In a desperate bid to help, her family have set up a GoFundMe to raise a year’s salary for her as doctors predict it will be 12 months before she has finished treatment.
Are you struggling with the cost of living crisis? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk to tell your story
But the fundraising move has been tough to come to terms with, and left the hardworking couple feeling as though they are almost ‘begging’ for help from the public after the government failed them.
She said: “The first thing I was worried about when I came round was money.
“In our household I was the higher salary earner and so I'm just constantly worried about money because we have a mortgage to pay, childcare, rising energy bills and all the other bills associated with having a house and a young family.
“We are two hardworking people.
“But we are getting to the point where we are worrying this much about trying to keep a roof over our head.
“With this latest energy price cap increase, it’s just ridiculous that we are facing this in this day and age.
“It is constantly the second thing on my mind.”
Camilla realised something was wrong when she had unexplained bruises and was left exhausted after just going up the stairs.
After a check up with her GP she was referred to Bristol Royal Infirmary in December for further tests and was admitted within hours as concerned doctors confirmed she had an aggressive form of blood cancer.
The mum of one is still in hospital and faces a gruelling treatment schedule including another round of chemo and a bone marrow transplant - meaning it will be another year before she can even consider getting back to work.
Camilla is the operations director of her family-run software company, but the small business cannot afford to give her 12 months sick pay.
She explained that while she and Ian had both taken out life insurance, they did not take out critical illness income cover as they were young and didn't think they would need it.
The young mum claims that after seeking advice with the Citizens Advice Bureau, she learned that all she is eligible for from the government is Personal Independence Pay (PIP).
But the ‘minimal’ benefit which amounts to less than £100 a week can allegedly take up to 10 months before it drops into the family’s bank account.
With Ian also now unable to work full time as he handles running the house and childcare, the increased cost of living would have crippled the family in just a month.
But they have been bowled over by the support of complete strangers and their loved ones, who have already raised £22,000 to help them get through the year.
However Camilla believes it should never have come to this, and said her financial worries were a direct result of Tory policy.
She said: “The fact that people we know and people we don’t have donated generously to help us is what has touched us the most.
“Even in these hard times when every penny counts, people are digging deep for us.
“There definitely needs to be more financial support there.
“It shouldn’t be down to just a charity or having to set up a GoFundMe.
“The hospital has been really good in terms of advice and help but obviously they can only work with what is available to them from the government.”
As fuel giants Shell and BP reported eight-year high profits and dismissed calls for windfall tax, Camilla said she was sickened by the gap between the elite and everyday people like herself.
She said: "It makes me feel a bit sick that they could be in that position that they are recording those kinds of profits at a time like this. Obviously the cost of fuel has gone up in terms of price per barrel but it's sickening to hear and just highlights the divide between the people at the top and everyday people like me."
The Department for Work and Pensions was approached for comment.
To donate to Camilla’s fund, click here
