My wife and I are pensioners who have used our savings to protect our grand daughter after our son was hit on the head during a hammer attack by his partner. He has recovered but has changed and will not be the same again and is not able to cope with simple things. An expensive, lengthy Court battle to gain parental rights was only resolved when the Court discovered that his ex had other children taken into care in the past because of drugs, theft, fraud and violence. We won the case. The cost of rescuing him, the court case, buying clothes and toys ongoing plus adapting our tiny bungalow for son and granddaughter has cost all of our savings.

Being honest we cannot survive on our State Pension, we cannot borrow, we cannot work as HMRC will reduce pension, we cannot get equity release as our home is alternative construction. It was all we could afford as we were also survivors of extremely abusive relationships. Bizarrely in both instances our ex partners tried to kill each of us resulting in years of loneliness until we met. We still hide as the fear remains after so many years. The police still have a red flag on our home in case we need help.

Can you help us build a future for our granddaughter as we have run out of money and resources. We can make a few pennies at car boots selling a few things, but clothes for her are really getting expensive as are shoes, and soon school books etc.. We sold our television as the licence is too expensive but we do have an old laptop and a neighbour lets us share their Wifi. We know her mother will try and get her again and this time we would not be able to afford the legal battle. So really we are trying to build a buffer or reserve to see us through. Our son can now do menial work but he can barely look after himself let alone his daughter. We need a bridge to help her until she is sixteen by which time we will be in our eighties. We would be grateful for anything you could manage. Thank you.