Carolynne Hunter was warned by Clackmannanshire Council, Scotland, that her bill could hit the high figure next year. Her daughter Freya, 12, has severe cerebral palsy and relies on oxygen for chronic breathing problems. Hunter said she was shocked when the Titanic actor stepped in after hearing their fight being reported on the BBC. Winslet donated £17,000 to the family’s GoFundMe page and contacted them to wish them well. Hunter, 49, said: “Our journey as a family has been very traumatic and I feel like I’m done at this point in my life. “When I heard about the money I burst into tears – I thought it wasn’t even real. I’m still thinking: is this real?’ The Hunters live in a council house in Tillicoultry, which is large enough to accommodate Freya’s equipment, but is not energy efficient. It currently costs them £6,500 a year to run the kit and heat the house – although Hunter said she had switched off the heating in most rooms to save money. While she works full-time for a modest salary, Hunter does not receive the same support as those on low incomes. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. He said he was concerned that potential blackouts in the winter in the event of reduced natural gas supplies – a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine – could jeopardize Freya’s care. As well as having cerebral palsy, Freya relies on oxygen for breathing problems – particularly at night. The family needs help from at least two nurses or NHS staff from self-directed support – a form of social care. Staff are monitoring Freya’s heart rate and oxygen levels and doing frequent suctioning to keep her airways clear. For the past few months, Freya’s room was the only one that was heated to keep her and the health care workers comfortable, but Hunter said they had to turn it down. “We’re still freezing and we’re not in sub-zero temperatures yet,” he said. “I ask the staff not to turn on the heating unless necessary. “The council has put in solar panels to help with the power outages but we don’t think it will help with the bill.” The family is one of millions across the UK bracing for a tough winter with soaring energy bills that experts predict will plunge many into poverty and cause a rise in avoidable deaths. Winslet, who lives in a village in West Sussex, is a patron of Family Haven, a charity set up to help disadvantaged and vulnerable families in Gloucestershire.
