A homeless charity has raised over £22,000 after speaking out about a 9-year-old who begged them for work to buy Christmas presents to her siblings.
Metro.co.uk reported yesterday about the little girl who told CEO of Humanity Torbay Ellie Waugh that she needed a job because her mother had died and her father had no money.
The charity, which operates food bank and offers support for the vulnerable has managed to raise more than £22,800, after Ellie decided to hit out at Universal Credit and tell the truth about how many people are being forced to sleep rough.
Ellie said in an emotional video posted to the Go Fund Me page: Im speaking out because Ive actually been threatened and Ive been told to keep my mouth shut, which most people know I find really difficult to do, especially when it comes to truth and justice.
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The last day or two weve had to give out absolutely loads of sleeping bags and tents to people.
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Ive been told not to let people know the truth about what is going on with the homeless. Today one of my volunteers ran out with sleeping bags and tents and a member of public stopped us and asked what we were doing and we said were giving out sleeping bags and tents to people who are homeless.
I dont think people realise just how bad it is at the moment more people are finding themselves homeless and on the streets due to universal credit and due to other things.
She said she had been told to keep her mouth shut about Universal Credit and that the charity wouldnt get any help or grant if they said anything.
She continued: As the CEO of Humanity Ive made the decision to speak up and say this isnt right. People should know what is going on.
Ive got people desperate, people self-harming, people threatening suicide, Ive got people taking crack, heroin.
And Ive got people “going on the game”, as working girls, because they cannot afford to live and keep their families. I know at least 10 girls who are now working as a prostitutes because they cant afford to feed their families.
She said they had been handing out more tent and sleeping bags than ever.
She added: I dont care if people are trying to intimidate me. You can shoot me you can do what you want but youre not going to stop me. Its absolutely awful out there.
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Hundreds of generous people have rushed to donate to the charity after she told of the girl, who offered to make beds in return for money.
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She told Ellie that she was really worried about their familys financial situation.
She previously told the Mirror: I cant tell you how horrendous it was hearing a child beg for work in this day and age.
The girl went on to explain she wanted to work so she could buy Christmas presents for her brother and sister.
Ellie added: After the call I just cried. Hearing that is like weve gone back to Victorian times.
She learned that the family, of Torbay in Devon, were plunged into poverty when the father lost his job as a HGV driver five weeks ago and that he was still waiting for his first Universal Credit payment since the redundancy.
Ellie reassured the girl that she wouldnt have to work and called her dad.
The dad-of-three has been a single parent since his wife died four years ago.
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