I eat one meal a day to support my son and partner after losing my job – I’ve lost ten pounds and I’m constantly worried about food

A DAD has admitted he only eats one meal a day to ensure he can support his partner and son after losing his job.

Wayne Baker, 38, was in tears after being forced to use a blackboard to support his family.

2

2

The distraught father-of-one from Thurrock, Essex, lost his job as a construction hod carrier in November last year – and has since lost three bricks.

Wayne said he eats just once regularly so partner Zoe, 32, and son Cody, 12, can have three meals a day.

He claims one week he even only ate toast for dinner as the struggling household had “nothing left”.

Wayne said he was “embarrassed” about having to resort to a food bank – but he had no choice.

He said: “When I left it was hard to swallow.

“I think I cried the first time, I was quite embarrassed thinking, ‘Really, I’ve reached that stage?’

“It’s really just the simple things like worrying about where your next meal is [is] come because the food banks are handy, but they don’t provide an actual meal.

“It helps with meals, though [I] just still constantly thinking about when and where the next batch of food is coming from.”

Wayne said he makes sure that Zoe, who works part-time in childcare, and Cody, who just went to secondary school, make eating a priority.

Looking for other ways to make extra money, Wayne sold jewelry that was passed on to him.

Wayne received help from the local council and was connected to crowdfunding platform Beam.

To support those who need it most, Beam also set up fundraising pages for donations from the public.

Wayne’s side was able to raise around £600 in eight days.

The funds will be used to pay for equipment and training to get him back to work.

Wayne added: “It just goes to show that despite a crisis, people are still willing to help.

“I couldn’t really ask for help or money from friends or family as everyone is struggling with the cost of living right now.”