Actress Kate Winslet made a large donation to a mother struggling with bills.
Kate Winslet donated the money needed for electricity bills to a Scottish family. PDO
Scottish Carolynne Hunter, 49, lives with his family in a council house in the town of Tillicoultry, north-west of Edinburgh. Hunter’s Freya-daughter suffers from a severe stroke and is dependent on oxygen equipment due to breathing problems.
A large council building cannot be called energy efficient, and the family has struggled with increased electricity prices when Freya’s devices are in constant use. The family’s electricity bill is about to rise to as much as £17,000 a year.
The actor who rose to world stardom from the movie Titanic Kate Winslet lent the family a helping hand by making a £17,000 donation to cover the estimated utility bill on the family’s GoFundMe fundraising site.
Winslet heard about the Hunters’ ordeal when it was reported on BBC Scotland. The actor contacted the mother of the family to wish them all the best. At the same time, a generous donation hit the collection site.
Carolynne Hunter says BBCthat he was speechless when he heard about Winslet’s donation.
– Our journey as a family has been very traumatic and I feel like I’m dying at this point in my life. When I heard about the money, I burst into tears – I thought it wasn’t real. I’m still thinking about whether this is true, Hunter says.
The story continues after the picture.
Without Russian gas, Britain prepares for the cold winter by increasing the use of renewable energy. PDO
The bills threaten to triple
Clackmannanshire Council previously warned Hunter that the family’s electricity bill could almost triple next year. The family currently pay £6,500 a year for electricity, although Hunter has turned off the heating in most rooms to save money.
The family needs healthcare and social work support in Freya’s treatments. At least two assistants are almost constantly monitoring Freya’s heart rate and oxygen levels. During the past months, Freya’s room has been the only one that has been heated in the Hunters’ apartment – and only with the necessary power.
– We are freezing so that we can afford to pay for what Freya needs.
Hunter is also worried that possible power outages during the coming winter could jeopardize Freya’s treatments. Solar panels have been installed in the house to help in case of power outages, but they are not very useful in reducing the bills.
Hunter tells the BBC that he would like the Scottish and UK governments to step in to support families with dependents who may find themselves struggling amid the energy crisis.
– I’m being helped, but what about everyone else? I wanted the government to do the right thing and pay for it (to ensure care). Celebrities shouldn’t have to interfere, says Hunter.
BBC previously reported that Cornwall Insight forecast According to However, changes in wholesale prices can significantly affect the forecast.