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.

Victoria also cuts back on meals so there is enough food for her children, which she says is ‘no way to live’.

She told ITV News: “Unless I really have to, I’ll eat. But I fill myself up with tea and coffee in the daytime.

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

Victoria said things have become so bad that even her 11-year-old daughter has offered her pocket money so the family can buy basics.

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

ITV

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.

ITV

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."

A report published by Action for Children earlier this year found that in 2020/21 3.9 million UK children, or 27 percent, were living in poverty.

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

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this story, you can find more information about where to get help from Turn2Us via their website.