A tearful pensioner with just £1.69 in her bank account was set to have 'eggs and toast' for Christmas dinner. The 89-year-old woman confessed her plight to a plumber who went to fix a leaky tap, reports Hull Live.
The community plumber, James Anderson, was left heartbroken after hearing the woman's tragic tale upon visiting her Blackburn home. He asked her how she would manage at Christmas in her current predicament.
The pensioner revealed that she had just £1.69 to last her three weeks and had no special food in for a Christmas dinner. She only had a small number of Christmas cards and three gifts from friends.
The plumber took to social media to share the woman's plight. On the post he attached a picture of her fridge which had some cabbage in a jar, orange juice, water, margarine, eggs and yogurts.
James said: “89 years old lady, Rishi Sunak, with only £1,67 in the bank until mid-January. 3 presents from friends, a few cards.
"She is having eggs on toast for her Christmas dinner!! I went to see her to repair a leaking tap.
"She cried on my should for 40 minutes.” The Twitter post, sparked a huge wave of discussion with many quick to share similar plights.
One person: “I work full time and have a house with two children to pay for and child maintenance for my ex-wife, the 2 children in the house I live in are not mine, but I have £11 in my account. I get paid on the 30th of December and that will last me two weeks.”
Age UK also responded to the Twitter thread asking for people with concerns for the elderly to contact their advisors. They said: “Our advice line is on: 0800 022 3411. Lines are open 8am-7pm 365 days a year.
"I hope this helps. Many thanks, Age UK Social Media Team”.
After hearing the tragic tale, John, who leads the DepherUK charity which helps needy families across the north of England, decided to do something.
He arranged for a huge food hamper to be delivered from Asda with enough food to last 60-days including a Christmas dinner. John said:“The ladies' shopping has been delivered.
"Enough food for 60 days and a nice Christmas dinner. She will have plenty of gifts delivered by Father Christmas.”
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