FAMILIES are suffering 'spiralling debt' to survive this winter, a Bucks charity has said.

Citizens Advice Bucks is pleading for help to tackle the current cost-of-living crisis that has plunged thousands of Buckinghamshire residents into extreme difficulty this year with the launch of its Christmas Emergency Appeal.  

The charity has set a target of £10,000 from individual donations so that it can continue to deliver its essential advice to the most vulnerable across Buckinghamshire.   

Communities across Buckinghamshire were already suffering from the prolonged effects of the pandemic.  

This has led to the charity experiencing one of the highest levels of demand in its 98-year history.

The charity said they are 'regularly receiving calls from working families who cannot afford to heat their homes and feed their families'. 

Some are incurring spiralling debt just to survive each day. 

One client, Ahmed, who had accessed the charity’s debt advice service told them that “Without your help – I don’t think I would be here today”.   

Another client, Irene, who came to Citizens Advice with disabilities and was in financial hardship said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Citizens Advice Bucks for all your hard work and enabling me to get the Personal Independence Payment benefit.

"I couldn’t have done it without you. It is life changing for me and will make it so much easier for me to afford the basics”.  

Chief Executive Thalia Jervis said: “Our service is facing extraordinary pressure, and we want to be there for everyone who needs us, and we need your help to respond to this crisis.

"The charity is often expected to be available for everyone. However, our volunteers are working so very hard and helping clients in some extremely difficult situations.

"There is only so much our expert volunteers can do before we need more funds to help us get through the crisis.  We are training more volunteers, but that takes time”. 

Chair of Citizens Advice Bucks, Jane Mordue stressed the importance of this appeal to those most in need across Buckinghamshire  

“We urgently need donations for our Christmas Emergency Appeal.  Communities across Buckinghamshire are facing extreme hardship and our charity is advising people through the crisis.  Every donation we receive, no matter how large or small means we can continue our vital work”.  

Members of the public can donate now at: justgiving.com/campaign/christmasemergencyappeal