Fighting Poverty In Barking

Robert, who is 19, has recently been discharged from hospital after treatment for Covid 19.  He and his family were referred to us by Royal London Hospital.

Both Robert and his sister Georgie, who is ten, have a diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and are full time wheelchair users.  The youngest child also has a disability.

There are problems with damp in the home and this is affecting their mother and other members of the family with worsening asthma symptoms.

The family receive no additional help.

Since contracting Covid 19 Robert has been severely affected by this both emotionally & physically needing additional care & support.  The last few months have been exceptionally traumatic for the family.  

Life has been just so difficult for this family. Having a Feed London food box delivered was one of the exciting most things Robert and Georgie had had in some considerable time. Watching their excitement as they tore open the boxes was wonderful – Georgina was laughing and said it’s like Christmas day.

It can be hard to imagine the everyday fear real of poverty, the lack of opportunity for even the simple things in life. Having your children seriously ill at the same time is just crushing. One mother described it as like having a sliver of ice permanently stuck in her heart – always present, always there, always painful.

At least for one long week over the holidays they don’t have to worry about food – with a voucher that week can extend into three.