A Leeds mum had to resort to getting a tent for her and her kids to sleep in as the cost of living crisis deepens in our city.
Other parents have no electricity and no beds for their children to sleep in, a Leeds-based charity has revealed. Bex Wilson, founder of Zarach, has shared the harrowing accounts as she revealed the charity recently delivered 67 beds for children in just one week.
SOS messages she received include one mum who had no electricity and another mum whose rental property for the following week had fallen through. The mum was going to buy a tent as she couldn’t afford to spend another night in a hotel, the charity wrote on Facebook.
Amid the cost of living crisis, Zarach is continuing to help struggling families “in practical ways” as they continue to find a way to break the cycle of poverty. To keep families warm this winter, they have asked for a number of donations including warm blankets, warm socks, hot water bottles, hats, gloves and scarves and more.
Zarach told followers: “Last night at 7:30pm I locked up our warehouse on Mabgate and felt a strange mix of emotions after a crazy week of Zarach ups and downs. Getting in the car, I contemplated all that Team Zarach has achieved this week whilst simultaneously mulling over some emergency situations from mums who had just sent me SOS WhatsApp messages: one saying say she had no electricity and another mum saying her rental property for next week had fallen through and she couldn’t afford another night in a hotel with her children so was going to buy a tent.
“We continue to see and hear harrowing stories from our families of their personal circumstances during this cost of living crisis that are difficult to process and I’ve had a week of feeling frustrated with how appropriate housing, support with lowering bills and other basic needs are such a struggle for so many. As well as helping families in crisis in practical ways, we will continue lobbying on the behalf of and in partnership with our families to make the future brighter for everyone.
“Helping the voices of children and families living in poverty to be heard by those in places of power and influence is an intrinsic part of who we are and what we do. It has been since our first ever bed delivery. My bed lifting credentials are currently limited due to being pregnant but I’m seeing it as an opportunity to do more of the shouting! I still remain hopeful that with you, our INCREDIBLE followers who share what we do far and wide, we will continue to experience opportunities beyond our reach to communicate with organisations and people that CAN galvanise meaningful change in our country.”
If you would like to make donations to Zarach, who are also looking for food donations, click here.
Read more:
- The stunning £1.1m Edwardian house previously owned by music royalty now for sale
- ‘Neglected’ Leeds city centre building to become new university campus in historic move
- 'Challenging' Leeds school's remarkable transformation after 16 year struggle
- Jet2 air hostess quits job for OnlyFans and now rakes in £25k a month
- Fuming fans claim Helen Skelton and 'tearful' Gorka Marquez were 'robbed' in Blackpool show-stopper
