A SINGLE dad who shares a bed with his two young boys in their cramped flat says he is forced to eat scraps to survive due to soaring costs.
Samuel lives in a one-bed flat in Bristol with eight-year-old Lysander and five-year-old Zenuel, and the trio have to cuddle up for warmth on a tiny bed.
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Samuel, a former security guard, was signed off work sick and now is left with £52 a week once he has paid all the bills.
And despite doing his best, the stressed out dad admitted he “can’t take any more” amid a cost-of-living struggle.
The father told the BBC in an emotional video: “I’m not the only one in this position, many families all over Bristol are going through situations what we are going through and I can’t take any more of this.”
And he claims he has been living in the one-bed flat for nine years.
With yellow sticker items filling his fridge, Samuel said he “has to find the time when supermarket put the prices down” to do his shopping.
It means the dad even has to save up in order to buy items such as cheese.
Samuel says he carefully budgets to make sure his children are fed and washed, and sometimes has to eat his sons’ leftovers for dinner.
“I let the little ones eat, then whatever is left I would eat,” he said.
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Samuel adds: “You’re living on the bare minimum anyway, and everything around you is going up – it’s like being in a sinking ship and you’ve got a teaspoon to get the water out to save yourself, that’s what it’s like.”
The downbeat dad added: “You’re living on the bare minimum as it is anyway and then everything around you is going up.
“It’s like being in a sinking ship and you’ve got a teaspoon to get the water out to save yourself, that’s what it’s like.”
But Samuel’s story touched the hearts of many and a GoFundMe fundraising page has now raised an incredible £17,284 to help him and his children.
Offers of help emailed to the BBC ranged from restaurants in Bristol wanting to feed him and the boys for free, and others wanting to donate bunkbeds.
Samuel read from the emails aloud, with one telling him “if I ever win the lottery, I’m going to buy you somewhere to live.”
Another asked him “how can I help?”
“It makes me feel like I’m being listened to,” Samuel said, fighting back the tears.
The fundraising page set up for him by a friend reads: “Samuel and his sons live on the 15th floor of a tower block in Easton, Bristol, sharing a one bedroom flat.
“His story has been featured on the BBC and since then there’s been a huge outpouring of generosity from the general public.
“I’ve personally known Sam, and his family, for many years, and would describe him as a salt of the earth person – always there to help anyone.
“A most kind-hearted person, always helping out in the community. It would be lovely to add some festive cheer, especially for his children. Community really is everything.
“All funds from this fundraiser will be paid by GoFundMe directly to Sam. Many thanks for your generosity and support for Sam and his boys.”
Things got even better when on the school run he was hit by another act of kindness, as the lolly pop lady Julie had baked them a banana cake for the weekend.
How to get help in the cost-of-living crisis
- Universal Credit can be difficult to get your head around and complicated to apply for.
- But Entitledto calculated that there’s £9.53 billion in Universal Credit going unclaimed.
- And there is help available from charities like Gingerbread and Citizens Advice if you need to apply, so don’t be afraid to ask.
- If you’re the only adult living in your home, you can get a council tax discount.
- This won’t be done automatically – you need to apply to the council – but it’s worth it because you’ll shave 25% off your bill
- Depending on the age of your child and your own circumstances, you could get free help.
- The government has a scheme for parents to access childcare if their children are two-years old or younger.
