ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

87-Year-Old Woman And Son To Leave UK After Being Put Out On The Streets

87-Year-Old Woman And Son To Leave UK After Being Put Out On The Streets

An 87-year-old woman from Lithuania and her son are leaving the UK because they fear she will die if they're put back out on the streets.

Mischa Pearlmen

Mischa Pearlmen

An 87-year-old woman with dementia and her son are being forced to leave the UK out of fears she will die if they're put back out on the streets.

Darius Nenius, 45, said he and his mother, Irena Neniuviewe, may have no other choice but to leave the UK.

The pair of Lithuanian nationals were speaking from The Britannia hotel in Birmingham yesterday Tuesday), after Raj Rana of charity Let's Feed Brum paid for an overnight stay. But the night before, they slept beside a rat-infested canal near the city centre after being ordered to leave shared accommodation in Handsworth.

Two weeks prior, Darius' benefits had been cut as a result of the former warehouse worker struggling to look for work while also tending to his sick mother, and the pair were kicked out of a flat in Ladywood.

BPM Media

Because Irena, who requires round-the-clock care, hasn't obtained a British National Insurance number, she isn't eligible for attendance allowance.

While news of their plight has encouraged a large number of Birmingham residents to offer support - some even willing to give up their own beds for the pair.

Darius and his mother will be returning to Kaunas on Sunday, when a van has been scheduled to pick them up to make the journey back to Lithuania.

"I must bring my mum home, I cannot leave her in this horrible situation," said Darius. "It's the best way, to go back home. One more night on the streets and she will definitely die.

"What can I do? My mum was adopted, she has no family. My dad's side and my aunts and cousins are back home in Kaunas so a van is picking us up on Sunday.

"I feel very sad to leave UK. I don't want to leave. If I was alone I would be OK, I could get job but my mum is my priority now. I look after her. There's no other choice."

Darius moved to Salford, Manchester, a decade ago before settling with his wife and their only child in Birmingham. His mother came to Birmingham six years ago, and after Darius' wife left him, he took it upon himself to care for his mother.

Because he has been deemed to be "not looking for work" by opting to care for his mother, Darius has had his benefits stopped and the pair became homeless this week after their money ran out.

Raj first spotted Darius and Irena queuing for food at the Let's Feed Brum feed at Old Square on Monday, said: "First of all, the people of Birmingham have been brilliant in their support for Darius and his mother. We've set up a donation page and now it's all about getting them home safely.

"I want the money to go towards a flight. It doesn't sit right with me that an 87-year-old should be squashed in a van for 48 hours. Darius is a big, strong boy so can handle it. I don't think Irena could.

"That's the objective now, get them back home. I feel sad it's come to this but it's probably the right decision - they will have more support back home.

"I'll be extending their stay and hopefully they will be on a plane over the weekend or at the start of next week."

The GoFundMe campaign set up by Raj can be found here.

Featured Image Credit: BPM Media

Topics: UK News, News, Homeless