I am a 44 year old single mother of 4 boys who have struggled from becoming a mom at 16. I went back to school after having my first son and I studied to NVQ level and had to go straight into full time employment instead of going on to university. I had to support my son and I was new to this country and that was my only option. I worked hard, saved and was on the path of making a good life fir me and my boy. I met and marry a man that was much older than me and invested all my money and time in building a life for us. We had a son and after a few years he became mentally and physically abusive. I had to pack my kids up and leave with just a black bag with our clothes. A friend made me sleep on a blow up bed on the floor. I started over again, I got a new job as he went to my old job and made a scene. I saved up and divorced my husband and started a new life in a new city. Rented a new home and started life again. I met someone had another child and then history repeated itself. I struggled all through my thirties with low paying incomes but I survived. My boys were doing well in school, were all well mannered and never had any problems with others or the law. As a parent I was very proud and I tried to do what was right to keep them on the right path. I was proud of my struggles. My credit rating was bad my house wasn’t the biggest but my kids had everything that they needed even if I had to do without. I never claimed benefits I’ve always worked.
When I reached 40 I decided that I was tired of struggling and by this time I had 4 sons. 2 adults and 2 children. I wanted to have something to show them that mom has achieved. I worked double jobs and saved up £10,000 over 2 years to open my own beauty business. I made a lot of sacrifices to achieve this and was looking forward to better days.
A week after opening on March 17 2020 the country was put on national lockdown due to COVID19. I was devastated as I couldn’t get any government grants or loans as my business was 2 weeks old. I had invested all I had into this and now I was worse off. Over the year I had to borrow off friends and family to pay the rent and bills while closed. This brought on severe depression because I was penniless and hopeless. I was so ashamed I was just empty. I began to feel suicidal in December 2020 as some of these friends started to demand their money back and I had nothing. I hate the thought of owing people. I decided suicide was not an option as my kids needed me. I struggled but I carried on.
On 20th of January 2021 I got a call from Jamaica to say my dad passed away. I do not have a relationship with my mother because I had to look after myself throughout life but my father was very close to me although he lived in a different country. To make matters worse I couldn’t afford to go to his funeral as I had no money or resources to go. He was also cremated against my wishes so I will never have a grave to visit to say goodbye. Last time I saw him was April 2019. I was heartbroken and spiralled into depression again.
I literally gave up but I still had the shop and the lockdown was gonna be lifted on April 12th. I had hope…thinking maybe I might get busy and things would turn. I have personal debts hanging over me but at least I was alive to fight.
Then on the 13th April 2021 I got a call saying my 16 Yr old son has been shot. My heart stopped…
My son is head boy of his school, predicted As for his GCSEs. A keen footballer, a musician. Basically an all round good boy who I have worked so hard to grow the right way and protect. How could this happen to us. He is not affiliated with any gangs and was just standing at the bus stop with a girl waiting for his bus. He was accosted by 3 young men in a dark vehicle who asked where he was from. He told them where and explained that he was waiting on his bus to go home. One stated that he didn’t believe him and shot him. Thank God he turned to run and got the bullet in his arm.
I’m pleased to say they have removed most of the bullet and he is recovering. The police have confirmed he nor any of his family has any link to any illegal activities and this was a random shooting.
I know there are other people with more serious needs than I have but if anyone could find it in their heart to help my family and I get on our feet. I owe friends and family over £5000 I have personal debts of over £10,000. The shop was opened on Monday and Tuesday but since the shooting Tuesday night I had to close to look after my son. I am afraid I am going to lose my business and my home as I’m unable to keep up. I feel so overwhelmed. I’m not asking for any specific amount any little will help because I have no other means of help. My son is at home with me and I only have £20 in my account I cant even treat him to anything. He is traumatised over the whole incident and I cannot leave his side. I feel so useless. He is a good boy I can provide proof if anyone really wants to help. Please any donation to help me save my business and clear my debts would be greatly appreciated. You would literally save my life.
Thank you for taking the time to read my plight.
My PayPal link is @godschild1977
P.S. I was trying to add proof that I have the shop but it won’t let me upload my bills. I have included a link below as my sons shooting was in the local paper.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-updates-boy-16-injured-20383795