The scandal of Mrs X Again

I posted a while ago about Mrs X whose husband of 16 years has left her for a younger woman, leaving her with two young children. I also said that she is diabetic but they have only £34 per week to live on. The original post is here: http://meezermagic.blogspot.com/2007/01/another-injustice-with-serious-effects.html#links

Tonight I was asked if I had any spare blankets because they only have summerweight duvets and it is snowing. The lady who told me about this said that the mother was very upset because when she went to get the children up for school, they were blue with cold.

This is ridiculous. How can a family be left in that terrible state in 21stC England, which is a rich nation? Its all very well to say they should apply to Social Services, but the fact of the matter is that Social Services idea of "helping" is to take the children away and put them in fostercare. That is ALL they need while trying to come to terms with the fact that their father has left them.

Mrs X's diabetes is unstable because she gives what food there is to her children. She certainly can't afford heating. I have asked some people I'm in touch with on Freecycle to see if anyone has some spare warm bedding they are willing to donate. I've got a warm blanket that might help.

Lord, have Mercy on that little Family!