Express readers rally for war hero
THOUSANDS of Daily Express readers have rallied around one of Britain’s oldest surviving prisoners of war who faces being forced into a care home against his will.
This newspaper highlighted how Brent Council in north London is refusing to pay for a home help for Robbie Clark, 96, because it is cheaper to put him in a home.
He spent more than £ 50,000 of his savings on 24- hour care at his home in Burnt Oak, north London – and had only weeks left as his money ran out.
But more than 170,000 people have signed a petition urging the council to fund the care he needs. Supporters including Daily Express readers have given more than £ 15,000 to help the war hero, one of the British soldiers who survived Hitler’s 1,000- mile death march across Europe in 1945. Charity Help For Heroes has also offered a payment. His War hero Robbie Clark, 96, has spent £ 50,000 to avoid going into a home. ‘ It would remind me of being a prisoner of war,’ he said son Mike said: “The level of public support is overwhelming. His case is a symbol for the poor state of elderly care in this country and others who are or will be in the same situation.
“Brent Council particularly is not interested in individual choice only ‘ value for money’.
“It has taken over our life at the moment. My father is still very anxious and is not sleeping. The £ 15,000 is less than a year of care and the emergency grant from Help For Heroes will give him another month.”
Robbie, a father of two with four grandchildren and two great- grandchildren, said: “I have been in my own place all my life. If I lived in a care home I would lose a lot of my freedom. It would remind me of being a prisoner of war.”
Mike, 58, has been in a battle with Brent Council over funding his father’s care since the pensioner lost the use of his legs after a heart operation in 2012.
Phil Porter, Brent Council’s strategic director of adult social care, said: “Mr Clark owns his home, so there is absolutely no question of Brent Council evicting him.
“There is a safety net for Mr Clark, and other people in similar situations, but if anyone chooses care over and above what we are able to offer, then they need to contribute towards that additional cost from their own resources.
“The reality is that councils need to act within the constraints of national funding which requires us to meet people’s social care needs in a way that also offers value for money for the taxpayer.”
To donate online go to justgiving. com/ HelpRobbieClark/