We’re setting up this fundraiser for our friend Stephen Jones Aka (Jonezy), his partner Tina and their three children because they’re going through an incredibly difficult time, and we don’t think he should have to put his heart out there and feel ashamed asking for help.

He actually tried to write this appeal himself. But when we read what he’d written, what stood out most wasn’t the money they needed, it was how embarrassed he felt about having to ask.

So we’ve decided to do the asking for him.

Over the past year, a combination of physical health problems, deteriorating mental health and losing his job has left the family in genuine financial difficulty.

A serious knee injury had a huge impact on his life. It stopped him playing football, made even walking to the shops difficult and continues to affect how long he can be on his feet. He requires regular steroid injections to help manage the pain.

But the physical injury was only part of it.

Losing his independence and being stuck at home had a massive effect on his mental health. Then came losing his job, followed by the financial pressure and debt that comes when your income suddenly disappears.

Unfortunately, each problem has fed into the next.

They are now receiving Universal Credit and PIP, but despite cutting their spending back as far as possible, they are still struggling to keep their heads above water.

And they really have tried.

They’ve sold most of what they had of value. They’ve cancelled Sky, cut their mobile phone costs, used food banks, approached charities and asked family for help on different occasions.

There simply isn’t much more they can cut.

Behind all of this are Tina and the kids, and a family worrying about things as basic as putting food in the cupboards, keeping the gas and electricity on and covering everyday essentials.

So as their friends, we’re hoping to raise £2,000 to give them some much-needed breathing space.

This isn’t about luxuries. The money raised will go towards food, gas and electricity, essential household costs and helping ease some of the immediate financial pressure while our friend continues working on getting himself into a better place physically and mentally.

We’re not expecting one person to solve everything.

If 200 people gave £10, we’d reach our target.

£5, £10, £20, whatever anyone can comfortably afford will make a difference. And if you’re not in a position to donate, please don’t feel you have to. Sharing this fundraiser could be just as valuable.

None of us know when life might suddenly turn upside down and leave us needing the people around us.

Our mate has spent long enough worrying about how embarrassing it would be to ask for help.

So he doesn’t have to ask.

We’re asking for him.

If we can come together and give this family a little breathing space and one less thing to worry about, it will mean more to them than we can probably put into words.

Thank you for reading, donating or sharing.

Let’s show them that they don’t have to face everything alone. ❤️