This week, 52 Lives would like to help 4 children going through the toughest time of their lives.
The children live in the UK, but for privacy reasons we can’t give their location and have changed their names.
The children, Caden (aged 8), Kelly (9), Daniel (14) and Eve (16), tragically lost their mum last month. She fell ill one evening, and her daughter, Eve, sat with her until 1.30am. Eve noticed a black spot appearing on her mum’s nose. Not thinking it was important, she went to bed. When she checked on her mum the next morning, she found her semi-conscious with her body turning black. Eve called her grandma, who called an ambulance. The mum was taken to hospital but died just 30 minutes later. She had lupus, but the cause of death is still being determined. Doctors believe she died from septicaemia brought on by bacterial meningitis. She was just 46 years old.
In the past few weeks, the children have been split up – the two youngest, Caden and Kelly, have gone to live with their dad and his partner. And the 2 eldest have remained at home. The council are helping them with housing costs, and their biological father will be coming to live with them. He is living on benefits at the moment, but they currently only cover him. So in the short term, they are struggling. They have applied for a Crisis Grant, so should hopefully be receiving more support soon.
These 4 young people are not only having to get used to a life without their mum, but also a life without each other. Their whole world has fallen apart. We can't change this dreadful situation they find themselves in, but hopefully we can help them in some small way, and try to bring a little bit of joy into their lives.