52 Lives

#553 Derek

Request: Donations / Gift / Kind messages

This week, we’d like to help a dad of five called Derek, who became homeless after his marriage broke down.

Derek will be a full-time carer for one of his children, who has a brain injury, is autistic and has ADHD. The other children will stay with him for part of the week.

Derek has been sleeping on friends’ sofas and has also had to stay in someone’s garage. When his children came to stay with him, they slept on a double blow-up mattress on the floor.

He has just moved into a flat, but it is bare, with concrete floors and no beds. He is sleeping on the floor while he tries to get the flat ready for his children. His son can’t move in with him until it's properly furnished.

On top of everything, Derek was recently hit by a car while riding his bike. He had severe breaks in his arm and wrist and needed surgery. Derek has a physical job, so it means he won’t be able to work for some time.

We’d like to help with flooring, beds and other essentials so Derek’s son can move in and his other children have somewhere comfortable to sleep when they come to stay.

*Name has been changed.

What We Need

1. Donations: 100% of your donations will be used to help Derek and his children. You can donate online or by text message using the details below.

2. Gifts from a wishlist: We've set up an Amazon wishlist with some things they need. To buy a gift, just click on the link below and choose your gift. When you checkout, tick 'this is a gift', and select the 'gift registry address' for delivery. It will be sent directly to Ben.

3. Kind messages: If you would like to send a kind message for Derek, you can either write your message in the form below and we will pass it along (your contact details won't be shared), or you can post a message to: 52 Lives (Life 553), PO Box 3154, Reading, RG1 9AT.

Offer support

Offer help or send a message

(if you are sending a message of support for the person we’re helping, there is no need to fill in your email address or telephone number)

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