A mother of four who has been relying on cups of coffee and tea and living off her children’s leftovers says she can’t afford Christmas this year.

Victoria Walker revealed that she rarely turns the heating on as utility bills and food prices continue to soar.

“Unless I really have to, I’ll eat. But I fill myself up with tea and coffee in the daytime,” she said to ITV News. “I would like the children to eat, and if they leave any leftovers, I tend to have the leftovers.”

Victoria also shared how her 11-year-old daughter offered her own pocket money so she could buy milk and bread.

“It just makes me sad. It breaks my heart,” she expressed. “Christmas is looking sad for me. I can’t afford Christmas.”

They have been receiving support from Action for Children, a charity that supports families in need across the UK.

Speaking to ITV, former TV personality Lydia Bright said that more needs to be done.

“It’s important for us to open our eyes to the problems that are happening on our doorstep,” she said.

“Sometimes when we think of poverty we don’t always think it’s happening in the UK but child poverty is so prominent now more than ever and it’s heartbreaking that it’s happening in a country like ours.”

Victoria said she’s been visiting her local community pantry to help feed her four children.

Volunteers said that they are shocked and saddened by the level of poverty they are witnessing, with one saying: “People are really living hand to mouth at the moment, for many of our families.

“It’s not just those on benefits anymore, it’s families in work. We’ve got one mum that holds down three jobs and she’s still worried about feeding her children.”

Helen Stockwell, a staff at the charity, also said: “I have families who can’t get coats for the children and can’t afford to keep their children warm. People are genuinely worried really worried about what’s coming.”

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