How’s this for loyalty? 57-year-old Hillary Barrows has been living in her Alfa Romeo in an Asda carpark because she refuses to part with her dogs.
After living in Europe for eight years, she recently returned to Kent, UK, with her two rescues in tow. The former teacher initially rented a home, but ran out of money soon after when she was unable to find work. She was, however, offered emergency housing on the condition that she give up Robbie and Cleo, two dogs she rescued in Spain — an offer that she refused.
“I was offered emergency housing but the dogs were not allowed to come with me and I won’t go anywhere without my dogs,” she said.
So Hillary’s 20-year-old Alfa Romeo hatchback is the only permanent roof she has over her head. She says the Asda staff take pity on her, and even give her extra breakfast items in the in-store cafe.
“They’re lovely. They give me hot water so I can make a soup.”
“There’s a 24-hour McDonald’s here too, so I go there to charge my phone and laptop so I can continue to look for work. I’ve applied for every job going, but nobody wants to hire me because I live in a car.”
Although Hillary is eligible for a job seekers allowance and housing benefit, she has been told that she’s not a priority for the latter because she’s been out of the UK for so long. The wait could be as long as three months.
The former teacher has no family in the country, so she has nowhere to go. Nor can she get a guarantor for a new flat.
“I just want to get back to work, get a house and somewhere safe for my dogs.”
With very few options available to her, Hillary decided to enlist the public’s help and started a GoFundMe campaign in an effort to raise enough money to get a flat for herself and her dogs.
“I am in a no-win situation — I don’t want people to feel sorry for me, I just want someone to give me a hand-up.”
At the time of writing, the campaign is less than £5,000 shy of its goal.
“I would like to say a great big thank you to everybody who donated, from the bottom of my heart. Hopefully this time next week me and my dogs can have a home.”
You can help Hillary, Robbie, and Cleo here.