This week, we’re trying to help Ade, a single dad who has been doing everything he can to keep his family together and safe.

Life has been tough. His two children (age 7 and 8) have complex learning needs and both have been diagnosed with autism. His son also has sickle cell anemia, which means he needs extra care and attention, often around the clock. Ade also looks after his 17-year-old stepdaughter who lives with him full-time.

Last year, the children’s mum sadly went through a serious mental health crisis and had to be sectioned. Things at home had become unsafe, so Ade stepped in and took the children to live with him, even though all he had at the time was a room in a shared house. He was working but had to stop to care for the children. 

They were later placed in temporary accommodation – a one-bedroom flat where all four lived for over a year. Ade slept on the sofa the whole time so the kids could have the bedroom.

They’ve recently moved into a permanent home, which has given them more space, but Ade is sleeping on a mattress on the floor. The children have no wardrobes and one broken chest of drawers to share between them, and so often clothes are piled up in Ade's bedroom or around the home. There is no sofa, and the family only have one small seat so they often they all sit on Ade’s mattress.

Ade's 17-year-old stepdaughter is studying for her A Levels and has no desk.

A teacher at the children’s school said: “I cannot overstate the effort, love, and dedication that this father shows for his children. He is a full-time carer, not only for his own children but also for his stepdaughter. He remains positive and resilient even on the toughest of days, spending all his time ensuring his children have meaningful experiences and opportunities to thrive despite their challenges. At the very least, he deserves a comfortable bed to rest on.”

Ade is doing an incredible job, but he just needs a little help.

We’d like to help provide some of the things they need for their home, a desk for Ade's stepdaughter, and also some activities and clubs to keep the children busy in the holidays and to give Ade a little bit of respite. 

(When we asked him what he would like us to put in the wishlist, his reply was filled with sensory toys, revision equipment, and other things to help his children but nothing at all for him, so we've also added a few things to the wishlist for him as well)

*Name has been changed