When I’ve been literally on my last pennies, with no food in the cupboard, the Ben Fund has been there for me

West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund supported me in my time of need when I was at my lowest ebb.

In 2011 I found myself sadly dealing with the breakup of my relationship with my partner.  She decided to withhold all contact with my two children who were then 3 and 4-years-old.

This was the beginning of a two and half year battle through family courts to gain equal access to my children.

As I wasn’t entitled to any kind of legal assistance, like legal aid, I was faced with mounting court fees, however my only concern was gaining equal access to see my children.

In 2013 at a final court hearing, I thankfully gained full equal rights as a parent. This was the result I’d desperately fought for but it came at a personal cost to me both emotionally and financially.

Over the two year period I was faced with a legal bill of around £25,000.

This personal experience left me in enormous debt, which I’d never been in before, with credit cards maxed out and loans taken out to pay for court fees.

The subsequent 18 months were a terrible financial struggle and I finally succumbed to the inevitable acceptance that I could no longer afford to pay my debts to my creditors.

I then contacted Payplan, which is a terrific organisation. They dragged me out of a spiral I could not see any way out of. They organised and helped me to come to terms with my debts.

The West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund has also been a tremendous source of support. They have helped me both emotionally and financially over the last 12 months which I am immensely grateful for.

When I have been literally on my last pennies, with no food in the cupboard, the Ben Fund has been there for me. When I needed to keep my old clapped out car on the road with no financial means to do so, the Fund were there for me both in the form of advice and greatly appreciated financial assistance.

“When I have been literally on my last pennies, with no food in the cupboard, the Ben Fund has been there for me”.

I genuinely believe without any doubt, had they not been there, my position and wellbeing would not be what it is today.

I’m now in a much stronger financial position with light at the end of the tunnel.

I would always endorse anyone joining the Benevolent Fund as they only have one thing in mind and that is the wellbeing and welfare of police officers and staff in need. I simply have no idea where I’d be, so a sincere ‘thank you’ from me.