Minister makes dreams come true for ‘homeless’ family of 10

A FAMILY of 10 facing homelessness had their prayers answered by an Methodist minister.

Parents Stuart and Debbie Parkinson’s life was turned upside down when they were told they would have to leave their former home in April.

Unable to find a place big enough for them and their eight children, the couple say they were forced to stay put.

But after an appeal in the Macclesfield Express a Methodist minister came forward with a property.

Now the family are enjoying their new home on Richmond Hill.

Debbie said: “It has been a truly awful experience.

“After so many disappointments we were praying for something to come along.

“We are so grateful it did.”

Debbie, who grew up in Sutton, and Stuart, 41, from Upton Priory, have been together since they were teenagers.

Their eldest is George, 18, followed by his brother Charlie, 15, and sisters Isabelle, 12, Chloe, nine, and Ruby, six.

The three youngest are Edward, five, Mollie, three, and little Seth, 20 months.

The Parkinsons were asked to leave the rented property on Wiltshire Close, Upton Priory after council inspectors deemed it to be unsuitable.

Despite spending weeks looking for somewhere new, the family struggled to find a place suitable for all their children.

But then they struck lucky.

Debbie explained: “As the news spread of our situation we had a lot of support from the community. “It really helped us. “One day I was in the playground and a woman came up to me and said the minister at her church might be able to help us.

“It turned out he had a four bedroom house which would have been perfect but it had tenants.

“By coincidence they gave him notice to leave.

“It was like it was meant to be.”

Stuart works at Adamley Mill in Langley while former childminder Debbie is a stay-at-home mum looking after Mollie who has celiac disease, hyper mobility disease and learning disabilities.

Debbie said: “The house is lovely, it backs onto the canal and there’s a park nearby for the kids.

“George, is now 18, and has moved into a place of his own.

“Our new landlord has been a lifesaver.

“While we miss our old place, it’s an exciting new adventure for us and everyone has been very welcoming.”