Debbie's story

Stoke-on-Trent, England

“I’ve always budgeted well. I never thought I’d be in this kind of situation.”

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We spoke with Debbie, a part-time RAF reservist and remote worker, who found herself facing mounting financial pressure. Due to a breakdown in her marriage, she was left to manage the family home alone as her ex-partner refused to contribute to the mortgage or pay child support.

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Her situation worsened when her mortgage payments increased by £400 a month. She had also moved from shared custody to full-time care of her two children – taking on the full costs of food, energy, and childcare for the household. With her income from employment and benefits unable to stretch far enough, she began falling behind – legal fees only adding to the pressure.

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“We went from sharing the kids 50/50 to me having them full-time. Suddenly I was buying food every week, covering the heating, the bills -  everything.”

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A lifeline through the portal

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Debbie knew she needed to find help. She reached out to a social worker at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, who pointed her towards Lightning Reach.

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Debbie signed up and applied to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund through the Lightning Reach portal. When asked about the application process, she appreciated how private and respectful the process felt.

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“It was much easier to go into a portal than to have to sit and tell someone all about it, because you feel like people are going to judge you.”

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She especially valued the Open Banking feature, describing it as secure, easy, and straightforward.

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“The best feature for me was linking it to your bank accounts – that was amazing. It didn’t take me long at all, and it felt secure.”

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Within a few weeks, she was awarded a £750 grant. The money helped cover essential household costs, including:

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• Child care costs

• Legal fees

• Food and energy costs

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“I’ve got a £200 childcare bill I haven't paid yet. The money I received can clear that bill now. The rest will go on court fees, food, and the electricity bill.”

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​Support during one of the most stressful periods of her life

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The support Debbie received helped ease the pressure of mounting costs and gave her the space to focus on her children and navigate a challenging period in her life. 

“It has given me peace of mind. Just having this helps me concentrate on life. It’s had a massive impact.”

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She now actively recommends Lightning Reach to others in her squadron – knowing others may be in the same position but unsure where to turn.

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“If someone said to me now that they were struggling, I’d definitely point them towards it.”