JANE* doesn’t know what her life would be like if she didn’t develop the courage to seek help from the St Vincent de Paul Society a year ago.
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The single mother of two boys was at tipping point then – overwhelmed by medical bills from her son hospitalised with painful chronic eczema while still trying to provide life’s essentials for her small family.
The inflammation had covered every part of his body which meant he was often wheelchair-bound or bedbound, wrapped in bandages and soothed by expensive creams and other treatments.
The medical bills were racked up to such an extent that rent, food and school were pushed down her priorities list.
She thankfully received help within 24 hours of a call and soon came assistance with food, taxi vouchers and people to confide in.
“It just got to the stage when I was struggling so much financially with nobody who could help me,” Jane said.
“I just couldn’t pay the bills.
“I felt like I was letting my children down because I couldn’t support them. I felt like a failure because I could give them what their friends at school had.
“But it’s very hard to admit to people that you are struggling and that you need help.”
She encouraged people to generously donate to charity campaigns, like The Examiner’s Winter Relief Appeal, as money from the supported charities went directly to the people who needed help most.
Jane said charities could not do the good work they did without assistance from the public and business community.
“It’s hard for people to understand this unless they experience the help themselves,” Jane said.
“You can’t put into words how much a little help means to people.
“This help goes a long way towards saving families.
“If we didn’t have this help, we wouldn’t make it through the day.”
St Vincent de Paul Northern regional council president Hetty Binns said the charity would use money raised through Winter Relief to go towards essential services including the Vinnies Van which provides soup, sandwiches and warm clothing to those experiencing homelessness.
“Extra funds other than our mainstream sources enable us not only to provide the immediate necessities such as food but address the underlying factors which may include large utility bills, medical needs and high rental costs that are putting a constant strain on a person’s income” said Mrs Binns.
*Jane’s name has been changed to protect her identity.