A mother from Norwich, who is also a full-time carer for her disabled son, is facing eviction after her mortgage provider announced it would be taking her to court.
Eileen Futter, a former journalist, has lived in Earlham Road near to the Fiveways roundabout for more than 25 years.
But with her current mortgage coming to an end, Ms Futter and son, Tommy, could be evicted from their beloved family home – a move she has described as “devastating”.
The 55-year-old was forced to give up her career after her son, now 26-years-old, was diagnosed with severe autism aged three.
She shares her son with the former Anglia TV presenter Richard Futter.
She said: "We thought we would be okay as everything seemed alright with the process in getting the equity release mortgage.
“Unfortunately, I’ve now been hit with a refusal for the equity release mortgage I had been working on with my mortgage advisor for months too.
“The interest rates are crazy now – everything has gone mad. We're in an urgent situation.”
Her current mortgage with Nationwide expired last August after 25 years, and Ms Futter had been working with Nationwide on a solution, which included waiting for her to organise the equity release mortgage in order to settle back payments and secure a new mortgage.
She added: “I'm on a low income as I gave up my career when my son regressed into autism.
“My disabled son would be traumatised if he had to move as he has very specific and special needs which are well-catered for here, in our home.
“Moving out would be a really bad idea due to Tommy. He is very vulnerable.
“This home is my only asset. I don't want to lose it.”
Following an in-person meeting with a Nationwide advisor in Norwich, she said: "The court proceedings are still going ahead and eviction is still on the cards, but the litigation team are helping me with all the ways we could settle out of court.
"I may have a chance if I can raise enough money through my Crowdfunder.
"There’s still a way to go and Nationwide won’t take away the court case or repossession until they have their money."
She was encouraged by friends to launch a Crowdfunder to raise enough money to stay in her home. So far, it has raised almost £14,000 of an £80,000 goal.
"The response has been amazing, but I need a lot more,” she said.
Ms Futter is due to appear in court in early August, almost exactly 26 years since they moved in.
To donate, visit GoFundMe at https://bit.ly/44anYNO
Nationwide have been approached for comment.
'WE WOULD ALL BE SO GRATEFUL' - In Eileen's own words
It was a gloriously sunny August day when we got the keys to our new family home.
My firstborn, Thomas, was gurgling gleefully in my arms, taking in the sights and sounds of our verdant, spacious garden.
Stepchildren, Martin, rising 10, and Joanne, eight, were running around exploring and giving an excited commentary of their discoveries.
Husband Richard was finishing off the emptying of our old home after a late shift at Anglia TV and my parents were up from London to help me with the move.
We were all pretty shattered, actually, because a huge summer storm overnight had totally destroyed everyone's sleep.
Nanny and Grandad must've amassed thousands of steps walking their grandson round the small garden at the old place. And there were tears from my stepchildren about leaving their familiar home, so I was popping between each of their bedrooms, consoling, distracting, and giving out cuddles.
But now, in our new home, back there in 1997, the sun was shining in every sense and the future looked bright. The baby of the family, Laura, arrived the following year to complete our lives and bring more joy to our days.
Twenty-six years later, here in August 2023, almost to the day we moved into the only home my birth children have ever known, I will be in court, fighting to stop Nationwide from evicting me, my daughter and my severely disabled son and making us homeless.
Dear readers, please wish us all the luck in the world. I think we're going to need it. And if you can get behind our campaign, we would all be so grateful.
- Ms Futter will be using the #SaveOurHome #StandWithEileen on social media to help generate support.
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