Struggling mum shares how Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund changed her and her daughters' lives

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Thousands of families across Scotland are facing poverty, and they’re relying on support from Aberlour Children's Charity to help them fund essentials such as food, clothes and bedding.The charity says if it doesn't raise enough funds disadvantaged families will go without.It is facing urgent demands for its Urgent Assistance Fund, as more families than ever are struggling to pay for essentials due to the cost-of-living crisis.Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund has made a real impact on Maggie* from Dundee.She lives with her eight-year-old twins Abbie* and Maya*.

Maggie, who has recently trained as a paramedic, has health issues and is struggling with her finances, mental health and relationships.The family has been affected hugely by the catastrophic rise in the cost of living.

Maggie says providing food, clothing, and energy is a particular concern for her and her girls.In order to feed her children, Maggie often goes without meals, sometimes for up to three days per week.She said: “Maya asked me at one point why I didn't have dinner when I was sat at the table with them, and I had to just lie and say that I’d had a big lunch.

She’s at school. She doesn't know that I don't eat breakfast or lunch.”The cost of school uniforms and shoes was also a concern and Maggie worried that her daughters would feel embarrassed not having the same as everyone else but had nowhere to turn.She added: “Even asking friends and family, they're in the same situation, so there wasn't anyone else I could have asked."Maggie has an additional worry as her daughter Abbie has a lung condition and needs the heating on which is an added expense.“Because of her lung condition, I've got to have the heating on constantly just to help her breathe.