Financial worries turn the festive period into nightmare for single parents

A charity which has helped separated families in the city for more than 30 years says it is experiencing a massive surge in demand for help in paying for Christmas.

Karen Richardson, director of the York-based Centre For Separated Families, said it offered Christmas 'life saver'

services, such as children's parties, gifts and free pantomime tickets, to the most disadvantaged one-parent families in the York area.

"The numbers of families helped in this way is usually around 30," she said. "This year, however, an astonishing number of families have asked for help because they are in crisis financially.

"As a result, the charity already has 96 names on the list for children's gifts."

She said a record number of 122 single parents and children attended the panto at York Theatre Royal, thanks to York Round Table, with a children's party earlier in the same day funded by the Rotary Club.

She said: "We have been overwhelmed with requests for help this year, and we can't help but think this is because families are experiencing increased levels of debt and financial hardship."

She said the charity, formerly known as One Parent Families, worked throughout the year to support separated families, but this was always the hardest time.

She said: "The sad thing is that for many of the children living in these families, things so many other children take for granted, such as a winter coat or new shoes, are the only Christmas present they are likely to receive.

"We try to put a bit of sparkle into these children's lives, and ease the burden for parents at the same time.

"Most of all, we try to help families to enjoy Christmas without getting further into debt, and the donations we receive from local business and from very generous donations help us to do just that.

"We are always grateful for the support of our work, and this year we are especially so because it has meant we can help even more families."

She said HSBC bank had been supporting the Charity through its Neighbours In Need Appeal, by collecting gifts donated by customers and staff for children up to the age of 18.

Melanie Davis, of SureStart Selby, said it was a similar situation in the town. She said that for debt-ridden families the next few weeks would be the toughest of the year. But, she said, there is hope ahead, thanks to plans to open a credit union in Selby.

Ms Davis urged parents to take advantage of a Christmas saver account, which it is hoped the Heart Of Yorkshire Credit Union will offer when it opens next year.

She said: "I never like to be doom and gloom. But I think there are a number of families for whom it's getting worse. Christmas is a very difficult time for all families who are on a low income, and if you are alone and sometimes without the support of extended family, then it can be quite a sad time."

But Ms Davis said the credit union could make things better.

She said: "By next Christmas, we should be in a position where we are up and running, and parents can save maybe £1 or £2 a week towards a Christmas fund."

Nigel Currey, who was on the steering group for the credit union, said: "The information that came through to us shows it's very much the case at this time of year that debt gets worse. It's a real problem in Selby."

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the Centre For Separated Families can send a cheque, made payable to the Centre For Separated Families, to 3 Barker Lane Micklegate York. YO1 6JR.

Alternatively, unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at the same address at any time before December 21.

Case Study 1

BALANCING the budget is rarely easy for 19-year-old single mum

Andrea Lee, but there are two times in the year when it gets that little bit harder.

Christmas and her daughter Nadine Archer's birthdays are the occasions when her tight finances really feel the strain.

Nadine, who is two-and-a-half, already knows what she would like for presents. "She gets the Argos catalogue and points to what she wants," said Andrea, of Millfield Road, Scarcroft.

But living on benefits, she can't just go out and buy Nadine a present. "It's just enough for basics," she said. "You see everyone buying things and want to buy your child the things they want, but you can't do so because it's too expensive."

She said she was determined not to borrow to buy the things she wants, fearing she might get caught in the spiral of debt.

She said the help provided by the Centre For Separated Families was a big help, from the trip to the panto and a Christmas gift for Nadine, to the Christmas party she attended yesterday. "The panto would have been out, but for the centre."

Case Study 2

SINGLE mother Helen Rowan says that in a consumerist world, Christmas has become a difficult time for consumers without much money.

The 26-year-old, who has a 17-month-old daughter Ella, said: "Everywhere you go, you see people shopping. In a consumerist world, you want to keep up with people. It can be quite depressing if you are struggling financially. You can feel quite isolated."

Helen, of Lawrence Street, York, said she was studying for a degree so she could obtain a job that would help her financial situation.

Until then, she was grateful for the help given by the centre, not least in giving her the chance to meet up with other single parents.

She said it had organised a toy sale with items on sale at very reasonable prices and given a gift to her daughter.

The charity arranged for Santa to turn up to a Christmas party at the centre last week. "It was fantastic - it was lovely," she said.

Case Study 3

JANE Reed has told her three children that Father Christmas can't afford to buy them much this year.

"It's going to be difficult," said Jane, 38, from the Bishopthorpe Road area of York, who separated from her husband earlier this year. "They all want expensive presents."

She said Daniel, seven, had asked for a BMX bike, Michelle, six, had wanted a Barbie toy and David, five, had wanted Batman toys.

"They want the kind of presents their friends are getting, and what they see advertised on the telly," she said.

She said the expensive presents were out, although she had managed to get some CDs for the children.

Jane, who dressed as a creature out of Monsters Inc for a Christmas party at the centre, works as a volunteer as well as receiving help from the charity.

"They gave me a grant towards new shoes, took us to the panto, and are helping us go away on holiday next year. But it isn't just about money. It's about getting support, and gaining confidence."

Updated: 15:26 Wednesday, December 21, 2005