I have terminal cancer & am spending my final months in agony because I can’t afford to turn heating on
A TERMINALLY ill mother is spending her final months in agony because she can't afford to heat her house.
Melanie Finlay, 48, was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2018.
Nearly 30 rounds of radiotherapy failed to stop the cancer spreading to the rest of her body.
Now Melanie is speaking out because she cannot afford to heat her house, leaving her in agony.
She told : "As soon as my bones get cold, they hurt. It's very painful.
"We have to keep the house warm, but with the energy prices going up we can't do that.
"There's no way we're going to be able to afford it."
Melanie lives in rented accommodation with her son Joseph, seven, and her husband Thomas, whom she married earlier this year.
Her weekly energy bills have doubled from £30 to £60, leaving her unable to meet the cost of living while terminally ill.
She said: "Thomas technically works full time, but he's also my carer.
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"He is physically having to reduce his work to look after me and my son - which means he has a reduction in his salary."
"While as a cancer patient I might not feel like I'm being penalised, my partner is."
Melanie, who works for the police, also feels victimised for using a pre-pay meter.
She said: "It's not like we have a couple of days to try and sort the payments out like you would on a bill.
"On a pre-pay meter, when it goes, it goes."
Melanie is worried for her son Joseph's future as energy bills soar.
She said: "Our son knows that mummy's poorly, but he doesn't know the extent because I didn't want him to lose his childhood.
"I don't want him to worry, which he would, because he's seven.
"We keep on talking about going to places and going to do things.
"That is the whole purpose of making memories."
Melanie spoke out for Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, and is also supporting Marie Curie's Dying in Poverty campaign.
Her comments come after expert Dave Raval revealed the heat loss hotspots which households across Britain can plug up to save money.
He said that checking your bathroom ventilation, bedroom curtains, living room floor, garage and loft can help you stay warm this winter.
What help is available?
If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, there is help available.
The government has already announced a £200 rebate, but that will have to be paid back eventually.
You'll also get a £150 council tax refund.
Check that you're getting all the benefits you're entitled to by using an online benefits calculator.
One MoneySavingExpert fan found out she was eligible for a £3,700 a year payment.
If you're worried about falling behind on your payments, let your supplier know as soon as possible.
Some firms have hardship funds for customers, such as British Gas and Octopus.
You might be able to get a grant from the Household Support Fund.
Local councils are handing out the money and you can search for yours using
However, some schemes have already closed ahead of the March 31 deadline.
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But local councils also offer welfare assistance schemes all year round that can help you with bills, so check what's available.
Turn2Us has a where you can find out what other help is available to you.
