This week, we’d like to help a 43 year old man recovering from bowel cancer, who is a single dad to a teenage boy.

Matt had to have his colon removed last year, and now has a colostomy bag. Since his diagnosis, he has been having ongoing treatment and complications and lives in a lot of pain. He and his wife split up and he moved into a flat with his son. The last few years have taken a big toll on him and he was recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

Matt isn’t receiving all the benefits he should be eligible for. Citizens Advice is currently helping him to sort it out but it could take months, so he and his son are really struggling.

A social worker said: “They are a lovely family. Dad is very hard working...he does his best to keep a lovely home & make the best of what he’s got.”

Matt is sleeping on a mattress on the floor and they have no carpet. His clothes are all too big for him as he has lost a lot of weight, and he has a lot of dietary requirements now so food shopping has become much more expensive for them. We’d like to help them both.