Elderly woman living in “misery” as her house is covered in black mold and has no hot water

Black mold is all over the walls and toilet, the roof is leaking and there’s a bug problem at the home in Brighouse, West Yorkshire as a charity desperately asks for help

An elderly woman is trapped in a house with no heat, hot water, or a kitchen — and a toilet that leaks down her stairs every time it is flushed.

Photos show the hellish conditions the vulnerable Brighouse woman is currently living in in a desperate appeal to find a way to refurbish the property.

Black mold is all over the walls and on the pink toilet which has a missing seat. The roof is also leaking and there is a bug problem in the house.

The woman has no way to wash, she reports Checker Live.

Saying it was “one of the hardest posts they’ve ever had to make” prison The charity Focus4Hope, which “helps people who need it most,” shared the images in a desperate appeal to find shelter for the elderly woman while repairs are made to her home.

The charity said it has found a company to work with – but needs help after exhausting all options to find its accommodation while the renovations take place.

The charity said it has contacted the council and health services but is struggling because the woman owns her own home.

A spokesman for the charity said: “This is one of the most difficult posts we have had to carry out… supporting a very vulnerable elderly lady who is sadly living in squalor.

“There is no hot running water, no heating and her toilet leaks when flushed up the stairs.

“There’s no washing facilities, no working kitchen, and every wall is damp. There’s a leaky roof and the joints are rotten from the damp. She’s got bugs.”

They added: “We need your help. We have an amazing company that has agreed to renovate their home, but we cannot give them rest while the repairs are made. We need a month’s rest in a small apartment/room that we will manage with her so that the work can be carried out.

“We cannot let them live like this for another winter and we urgently want to improve their quality of life. Nobody deserves to live like this. Please get in touch if you can help in any way.”

The charity aims to raise at least £1,500 to help the vulnerable woman. Having launched her appeal just three days ago (13 May), over £1,240 has been raised which will be used to rent an Air BnB property for her while the charity tries to sort her home.

After Focus4Hope shared the post on social media, hundreds came forward offering help and well wishes to the Brighouse woman. Grace Whitton said, “I don’t have any money to donate, but I’m happy to help clean up for contractors and decorators if needed.”

Alison Heppelstone added: “Thank you to charities like you who are able to help vulnerable people like this. I’m sure someone can find her rest.”

To donate to the appeal, visit LocalGiving’s fundraising page.