Alison Hammond couldn’t fight back her tears as she sat with a single mother who revealed she and her son have been homeless for his entire life.
The This Morning presenter, 50, met with Alicia, 39, who has been living in temporary accommodation in London with her son, Aeon, six.
The mother revealed she has been living in ‘awful’ conditions over the years including ‘damp everywhere’, bed bugs and mice as they face the uncertainty of never knowing when or where they will be sent next.
Alison was heartbroken as Alicia went through her Christmas to-do list, which includes buying new mouse traps, chasing up repairs, and tackling mould.
The TV personality said:Â ‘I couldn’t believe what Alicia was telling me, it really got me. She’s a single mum, just like I am, and I felt such a connection with her and the love she has for her son.Â
‘No one should have to live the way Alicia and Aeon are living.’
Alison Hammond couldn’t fight back her tears as she sat with a single mother who revealed she and her son have been homeless for six years
The This Morning presenter, 50, met with Alicia, 39, (right) who has been living in temporary accommodation in London with son, Aeon, six (centre) – who has been homeless his entire life
Alison was heartbroken as Alicia went through her Christmas to-do list to-do list, which includes buying new mouse traps, chasing up repairs, and tackling mould
She added: ‘Alicia still does everything she can to make Christmas special for Aeon, but behind the scenes it’s like a full-time job – chasing repairs, tackling damp, dealing with mice, sorting legal papers.Â
‘Both she and Aeon have been struggling with their breathing, and he’s even been in hospital. Can you imagine?Â
‘This is what she’s facing at Christmas. No family should have to live like that.’
Alison, who has teamed up with homeless charity Shelter, said: ‘Meeting Alicia and hearing her story really moved me.
‘I just want to help and be part of the change we so clearly need.’
The former I’m a Celeb star is mother to her son Aidan, 20, and shares him with her ex-fiancé Noureddine Boufaied, from whom she split back in 2014.
Aidan and Alison featured on the new series of Celebrity Gogglebox and were joined for the series opener by the actress’s rarely-seen sister, Sandra.
When Alicia first became homeless, she ‘went straight into survival mode,’ but her terrible living conditions took a significant toll on her life and made her feel unsafe.
In the moving conversation Alicia revealed both she and Aeon have been struggling with their breathing
When Alicia first became homeless, she ‘went straight into survival mode’ (Alison and Alicia pictured in a video for Shelter)
‘I felt really alone and didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. My mental health really suffered, and I felt so isolated, like it was just me and my son against the world.’
In the moving conversation, Alicia added: ‘My asthma has gotten worse, my son’s breathing has gotten worse, and there are moments when he stops breathing at night.
‘I feel like I’m getting bounced around, and you start to feel forgotten.’
It comes as new figures reveal a shocking 172,420 children in England are currently homeless – the highest number on record.
Alicia eventually reached out to Shelter for support, and she got help to understand her legal rights and was guided through securing safer, more suitable temporary accommodation.
To support Shelter this winter, visit www.shelter.org.uk/donate
