Single mum-of-four surviving off children's leftovers says she can't afford Christmas

A mum-of-four says she has to live off her children’s leftovers as she has no money to buy food for herself.

Victoria Walker, from Bath, says she rarely turns the heating on to try and keep costs down and will not be able to afford to celebrate Christmas.

“I would like the children to eat, and if they leave any leftovers, I tend to have the leftovers.”

"It just makes me sad,” she said. “It breaks my heart. Christmas is looking sad for me. I can't afford Christmas."

Victoria is being supported by charity Action for Children, which helps vulnerable children, young people and their families.

Helen Stockwell from Action For Children says she's never seen a situation like the one that Brits are currently facing amidst the cost of living crisis.

She said: "I have families who can't get coats for the children and can't afford to keep their children warm.

"People are genuinely worried really worried about what's coming."

A study Action for Children found that 98 percent of parents asked were worried about money, while 22 percent of working mums and dads are concerned they won’t be able to afford Christmas presents for their loved ones.

Former The Only Way Is Essex Star Lydia Bright is a supporter of the charity and is helping to raise awareness of the levels of poverty in the UK.

Speaking to ITV, Bright said: "It's important for us to open our eyes to the problems that are happening on our doorstep.

"Sometimes when we think of poverty we don't always think it's happening in the UK but child poverty is so prominent now more than ever and it's heartbreaking that it's happening in a country like ours."

It went on to warn that this number is likely to have grown this year as the cost of living rises.