Press call sparks firm into action
The worried young mum of a toddler deemed at high risk from coronavirus complications has thanked the Wishaw Press for helping out after she was left without electricity.
Amy Healy, 23, had travelled to England to collect her young sons from their dad’s in Oxfordshire before the country went into lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Her toddler son Layton, three, has asthma and, following government advice, Amy was keen to get him and eldest son Stephen, five, isolated at home in case either picked up the virus. But while travelling back home to their flat in Glasgow Road, Wishaw, Amy realised she had lost her keys.
Her smart card fob for topping up her electricity and gas meters had also been attached to her key ring.
The worried mum-of-two was able to gain access to the flat she shares with Stephen and Layton but realised she had run out of electricity and only had pennies of credit left on her gas.
The frantic mum contacted fuel provider Spark Energy who said they couldn’t do anything apart from replace the meter at a cost to her of £125.
Amy said: “I was on the phone for hours and explained to them that Layton has asthma.
“They gave me a number to take to the shops for credit but it didn’t work.
“Then they said they would send a card out with £10 credit but that was probably going to take days. You’d think they would be able to put credit in my meter.
“I then contacted social work but they weren’t much help. I went to the police and they were really helpful and put me through to the homeless to try and get me into a scatter flat for a few days, but after the homeless spoke to social work they said they couldn’t help us.
“They were basically telling me that I had to sit at home in the dark. I couldn’t make food or anything. They said I had covers, but the flat’s that cold we’d get a better heat sleeping outside.
“The thing is I had money on the fuel key but it’s in Oxford and we’re here. Layton is meant to isolate from other people but I ended up having to take him to my mum’s.
“I don’t know what I would have done without her.”
The Wishaw Press got in touch with Spark Energy and highlighted Amy’s situation. They sent out an engineer that same day and resolved the situation.
Amy said: “Thank you so much, my electricity is back on and they have now put a new smart meter in.
“Honestly, it feels amazing to be back home with my kids.”
A spokesperson for Spark Energy confirmed they had investigated and that the customer was now back on supply.