Help towards great future for the family

Coming to England separately in 2001 and 2002, my partner and I have been part of some of the huge changes in this country and of course internationally. Since we met in 2005, we have become a small family embedded in the dynamic British fabric. Eldest child is at local grammar school whilst the middle boy is progressing well at his local primary. The youngest (and last) is only a few months old.

For the large part of our stay on entry, we have battled with trying to regularise our residency. In 2016 we managed to secure limited time residence that is now coming up for renewal in summer 2018.

Home Office and legal fees are significant, and do increase significantly yearly. Of course, being foreign nationals, we do not receive any sort of state or local authority funding. We have always been in employment which has allowed us to look after ourselves including funding past legal and Home Office fees. As my partner is off on maternity leave, she has I continue to provide for the family. We have always struggled with house bills and rent however, we manage to get by.

My passion and drive for my working life in England has been to help inspire others. I currently work with people from world of work and secondary schools to help delivery careers and enterprise activities that leads to inspired young people ready for dynamic world of work. I have and continue to support local governing bodies with an emphasis on recruiting governors and trustees. On the other hand, my partner is a dental nurse. She is on maternity from a part-time job in social care sector where she supports adults with special needs.

Our biggest challenge is the ability to save lumpsum such as costs associated with regularising our UK residency. We will of course struggle again this year and may have to fund through new credit card applications; which essentially means adding to the already large debt.

Our Home Office and related costs to renew our UK visas come to up to, if not more that £10,000.00 translated as follows per person:

• Home Office fees - £800.00 x 5 = 4,000.00
• NHS Fees - £600.00 x 5= £3,000.00
• Solicitor fees - £2,500.00Total - £9,500.00

The children consistently talk about going on holiday away from UK; we have managed Scotland and Wales so far. Securing residency may enable us to take them to low cost destinations in the first instance whilst we build finances for other trips.

Your time in reading this brief summarised testimony is very much appreciated. We hope you will consider supporting our cause. Thank you very much indeed.