Kate Winslet donates £17,000 to mum forced to pay huge energy bill for daughter's life-support

Kate Winslet has donated £17,000 to a mum who is facing sky-high bills to keep her daughter’s life support machine running.

Carolynne Hunter’s 12-year-old daughter Freya has severe complex health problems and disabilities and requires full-time oxygen and at-home nursing care.

But Carolynne, 49, was warned by Clackmannanshire Council that her energy bill - which is usually around £6,500 a year - could rise to a staggering £17,000 next year.

Speaking to the BBC at the time, the mum-of-four said: "My situation is quite unbearable now.

"I've been worrying how to afford to pay for the amount of energy I need for the past seven months.

"The level of care Freya is having is probably on par with what would be happening in an intensive care ward.

"She needs constant heat and the staff need to be comfortable in the room."

PA

The concerned mum also warned that people could die if something wasn’t done - she told the Press Association: “Our families are going to suffer, there’s going to be a mass crisis for the NHS and social care and children will die if their families are not able to pay for it.”

In response to the rise, Carolynne launched a GoFundMe and her and Freya’s plight hit headlines across the UK.

Among those who saw the story was Titanic star Kate who generously donated £17,000 to the fundraiser leaving Carolynne stunned.

Carolynne told the BBC: "Our journey as family has been very traumatic and I just feel done at this point in my life.

"When I heard about the money I just burst into tears - I thought it wasn't even real. I'm still thinking is this real?"

The £17,00 donation was made by ‘Kate WInslet and family’ and has since been confirmed to have come from the Hollywood star.

Sydney Alford / Alamy Stock Photo

Winslet also reached out to the family to send them her best wishes.

On the GoFundMe, Carolynne wrote: “I have no way of reducing the usage of energy in our home. My older daughter and I have historically lived in fuel poverty to keep Freya safe and comfortable making sure all her medical needs are being met whilst allowing me to keep my bills as low as possible.

"We dread every winter in our cold home with an energy efficiency rating of D.”

The fundraiser, which had a target of £20,000, has now hit £27,000. You can donate here.

Topics: Kate Winslet, UK News, Money

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]