I had to wash my sons’ clothes every day just so they had enough to wear

NURSERY WORKER WITH THREE CHILDREN TO LOOK AFTER TELLS ABOUT BEING MADE REDUNDANT DURING PANDEMIC

clothe. Because of the rushed nature in which her brother came into her care, he arrived with very little clothing.

“It didn’t really hit me until I was really struggling. “You’re so used to having a set amount from your wage and then all of a sudden it’s just gone.

“I’m fortunate enough to get Universal Credit but it’s not enough to live off,” Shannon said. Her growing children were getting by with a couple of pairs of shorts each that still fit them

WE are raising money to help Leicestershire’s most vulnerable people through the coronavirus crisis.

There are two ways that you can help us support communities with small crisis grants (which are usually in the form of food vouchers, appliances,mobility aids or beds):

and she was having to use what little money she had to get clothes for her brother.

She said: “I had to halve the money I had saved for my kids’ clothes.

“They didn’t have enough basics so I had to wash them every day just

If you are an individual donor, go to the Just Giving page and donate via our Leicester-based fund administrator Charity Link

If you are a business donor, call Charity Link’s director of marketing and fundraising, Susan McEniff, on 0116 222 2212, visit the website or e-mail: so they had enough clothes to wear.”

While shops were closed due to the lockdown, the mum-of-two reached out to friends for spare clothes.

She said the mounting stress of the situation exacerbated pre-existing mental health conditions and she was later prescribed antidepressants.

When Shannon thought there was nowhere else to turn to help her, she was referred to Charity Link by her social worker.

This was the first time Shannon had ever approached a charity for for those benefits to reach those most vulnerable in our communities.

“Charity Link remains here to help ensure that people in crisis and hardship have the basics in life that we all deserve, but we really need the ongoing support of people in Leicestershire to meet this need.”

You’re so used to having a set amount from your wage and then all of a sudden it’s just gone. Mum Shannon