Blyth carer launches fundraiser after leaking roof becomes a ‘nightmare’
A Blyth carer says her leaking kitchen roof has become a “nightmare” as she has exhausted every option for financial help to have it fixed.
Amanda Bennett is a former civil servant who was forced to leave her job after her husband Paul suffered a stroke which left him in a wheelchair.
Amanda now splits her time caring for Paul and volunteering at St Oswald’s Hospice Charity Shop in Blyth.
Following Paul’s injury, the pair moved to home which better suited his needs, however, the kitchen roof has now began leaking and causing damage to the ceiling.
"When it's raining, I have to dodge the drips,” Amanda explained. “There's no way round it. It's dripping in about four or five different spots.
“It's cold because the ceiling's missing so you can see the boards on the roof which are rotten, so it’s just a nightmare.
“Water is coming above the washer, the dishwasher and near the cooker and light now as well so we have to switch everything off when it's raining.
“It's not great for looking after my husband because obviously you need all that sort of stuff to be working.”
Following rejected claims with their home insurance and a six-month waiting list for an emergency grant from the council, the couple say they have exhausted all options.
They are now appealing for financial help to have the roof fixed via GoFundMe.
“The insurance company sent an assessor and said that it was basically down to wear and tear and bad workmanship in the past,” Amanda added. “In the meantime, the roof's getting worse.”
Amanda explained how her appeal for help on social media unfortunately resulted in online abuse from some, but that her colleagues at St Oswald’s have continued to support her.
“It was really hard to share my story because you don't want to go through all of that again. It was a horrible, horrible experience.
“But, I have put all of that on there to explain our situation and how we've ended up from being full-time working into this position where neither of us can work.
“I'm just grateful I've got him. That's the main thing.”
Donations to Amanda’s fundraiser can be made here.