52 Lives

#241 An 8 year old boy

Request: Donations / Birthday cards

This week, we’d like to help an 8 year old boy and his mum who are living in a single room in shared accommodation.

His mum sought asylum in the UK, as she feared her and her son would be killed in her home country (she was at risk of an ‘honour killing’). The accommodation they are in is in an awful state, and it is shared with other occupants who have been targeting them. They have had to call the police several times and are feeling very scared and alone.

They stay locked in their room and don’t even use the communal cooking or washing facilities. The mum washes their clothes in the ensuite sink, and cooks on a small hob she has in their room. She also has multiple medical issues which make it hard for her to move around easily.

They share a bed, which has completely collapsed in the middle. And her son spends most of his days locked in the room. They aren’t sleeping or eating well and their mental and physical health has been severely affected.

With your help, we’d love to do something kind for them both.

What We Need

1. Donations: This week we haven't set up a wishlist, as there are issues with the security of mail in the building. So instead we're asking for donations so we can buy the items ourselves to ensure they get there safely. Your donations will be used to buy a new bed and mattress, a small television for their room, and clothes vouchers for both the mum and son. It is the boy’s birthday coming up, so we would also love to buy him some gifts – some toys, craft activities, a bike and a helmet. Any donations we receive above what is needed for these items will be used to help them in other ways.

2. Birthday Cards: We would love to send a big box of birthday cards and messages to this young boy to help make his birthday extra special. Birthday messages can be emailed by writing them in the form below (your contact details will not be passed along) or they can be posted to: 52 Lives (Life # 241), PO Box 3154, Reading, RG1 9AT, UK.

What We Did

We raised more than £3200 - almost triple our target! This means we will now be able to buy them all the things they need to help make their life better - including a new bed, bedding, cooking appliances and clothing. We're also going to be able to make the young boy's birthday an extra special one thing year - we're buying him a bike, a computer, and some toys he's always wanted but never been able to have. We also received so many cards and messages of support for him. And there will be funds leftover after all this to help them even more going forward. Thank you all so much for helping.