Ehijie’s story: finding stability as a parent when finances became tight

Ehijie was referred to the Lightning Reach portal by the Chemical Engineers Benevolent Fund and received £450 in financial support.

“It lifted a heavy burden. I was so emotional when I received that money. This time, somebody cared.”

We recently spoke with Ehijie, a parent and chemical engineering professional. He lost his job when his company downsized and had been struggling to find stable work. He took on manual jobs and freelance work to support his family. With only his spouse’s salary to rely on, it became difficult to cover everyday living costs and household bills.

“The cost of living is overwhelming, and I have been just hustling to make sure I put food on the family table.”

Finding a platform that makes accessing support easy

While looking online for help, Ehijie found support through the Chemical Engineers Benevolent Fund, a charity that supports chemical engineers in need. They signposted him to Lightning Reach to complete his application. The fund awarded Ehijie £450 in financial support after assessing his application. He found the process simple and easy to navigate.

“Lightning Reach is a very friendly platform and a fantastic idea. I’m so grateful for the support.”

Immediate impact on a parent's finances

For Ehijie, the impact was more than just financial relief. The support he received from Chemical Engineers Benevolent Fund allowed him to finance his children’s school fees, which as a parent, took a huge weight off his shoulders and brought hope during a period of uncertainty.

“I’m able to pay my children's school fees for this term. I'm so thankful the money came when it did. Better days are ahead for me.”

Looking ahead, Ehijie continues to search for stable work and hopes to pursue a Master’s degree to progress his career. For now, the support he received has given his family breathing space. He shared that when he is back in stable employment, he hopes to support others in similar situations.

Get help today

Could you or someone you know use a helping hand building up your financial resilience? Create your account today at www.lightningreach.org/application-portal to see what you're eligible for.