Do you feel sorry for them?

I don't feel even remotely sorry for them. We too went through a very difficult financial time about three years ago. We moved out of the area we were living in and downsized drastically and now live in a Parks Home. We have fantastic neighbours, and can live quietly on our modest pension without any worries. It can be done without shouting from the rooftops and preying on other people. I think they're quite pathetic, need to reorganize their finances and get a grip.

The fund has raised over £4,000 now. Add in a fee from the DM and they'll soon have that bank loan paid off!!

Wonder how the DM got hold of the story.

Airport people will be on the look out for them now.

Good on you nigglynellie- bravo. I can never fathom why people who are homeowners and fall on bad times are supposed to realise that moving away to a cheaper area to cut down expenses, etc- is the way to go. But not when dependent on the State. It must have been very hard for you- but you made the best of it. Applause and bonne chance.

I think someone has offered them free accommodation in an annex to said someone's house in the New Forest! Hope it comes up to their social expectations!!! Also hope that whoever the benefactor is doesn't get landed with them!! After all, they haven't got a clue as to who they are, what they're like or their real motive! Bit of a risk I'd say!!!!!!

What a pair! I expect they phoned the DM themselves and have received a fee for their 'story'.
There are areas in the north west/east where they could buy a 2 bed terrace for £60,000 and live easily on his pension. I suspect Mrs x has fallen foul of the pension changes. She's 62, so won't get her state pension for some years yet.

Thank you granjura. Looking back it was very scary not knowing what tomorrow might bring, but we sold our house, sorted out our finances, and bought where we now are and at last felt safe again. It's lovely countryside where we are, and people are kindness itself. We belong to our local rambling club, and I belong to the local W.I, so we are as my granddaughter would say 'good'!!

Am I wicked to hope that this "annexe" is <whisper> a garage ? !

JaneR refers to Lincs and property prices.2 years ago my friends downsized to the Lincs coast and got a really nice detached 3 bed dormer bungalow,on a good transport route, nice garden and 10 mins to the sea for £129.000. Apart from the area which would not suit me, I could move into the property tomorrow and be very happy with itSome peoples aspirations far outway their situation.

I suspect the DM can see a bit more mileage in this story. There are lots of people in danger of losing their homes due to financial problems. If the fund keeps growing I predict a backlash.

They must be rubbing their hands watching the total grow.

Sorry it was Granjura I know Janer has spoken of Lincs before

Absolutely not and how low can one stoop ? to ask the public to fund them. I have noticed several postings on FB asking for help in funding lifestyle or " artistic talent ". Do people have no shame ?

Normally Soutra, I wouldn't wish this particular definition, but in this case I find I'm thinking exactly the same!!!!!

nigglynellie You are a woman after my own heart.

When we moved to the UK from South Africa 14 years ago, we took a huge financial knock. We sold our home in SA (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, granny flat, big garden) and rented a tiny studio flat in London for the first 18 months whilst we found our feet. We were very happy there and had lots of laughs, felt like students. It was an "annexe" to a big house and our landlady who lived in the house was completely mystified by us, I think.

From there we moved into a one bedroomed flat and subsequently bought the house that we still live in now, "ex local authority" and we are very happy here too. During all the time that we rebuilt our lives, we wouldn't have dreamt of asking anyone for help. Nor did we ever apply for any benefits. My husband couldn't find work immediately, but I went into a recruitment agency still dragging my suitcase when we came off the plane (I'm not joking) and I supported us both on temp jobs for the first I don't know how many months.

Oh and we sold or gave all our stuff away. Very liberating. I kept one suitcase full of sentimental objects, the rest of my "stuff" I "visit" when I visit family in South Africa

I've just had a look at this story everyone is talking about, I do feel sorry for them in the same way I feel sorry for anyone who is homeless.

I know Bournemouth very well we have a timeshare there. I can't understand when they had to downsize from the house why they didn't just put all the equity £200,000 into a property without getting a mortgage, believe me you can get reasonable properties for that sort of money NOW, so I am sure they would have been around a few years ago. Greater Bournemouth is a large sprawling area that encompasses Christchurch, Southbourne, Boscome, Bournemouth, Westbourne and eventually merges with Poole there is a lot of it with many varied properties. There are a couple of very upmarket areas such as Canford Cliffs and Sandbanks, perhaps the wife could have done a mail shot through letterboxes targeting those places where she may have found families who would be pleased to have a trained nanny for child minding, say after school, I think she may have been more successful following that route than applying to nurseries who I imagine employ very young staff.

The airport staff are certainly going to be aware of them now so they have taken a bit of a gamble, but I'm thinking that they get some help through this article to get back on their feet.

To start out with that sort of property to sell and yet to end up with nothing takes a rare sort of talent!Why on earth didn't they build up decent savings when they were earning good money? Presumably it all went into the house. A visit to CAB or an hour with a solicitor when it first started to go pear shaped might have made all the difference.

I do feel sorry for anyone who is homeless. I don't think they are dealing it with very well or even halfway efficiently. I also don't think people should live in airports, even Tom Hanks.

I can't understand how these two have been able to live at Heathrow for so long, if indeed they have! Surely the Airport Police would have noticed them wandering and sitting about 24/7 and approached them to ascertain what the were up to?! What about health care, particularly at their age? What about laundry?! what about post?!! If they have slipped under the radar of Heathrow airport, then I would think that the authorities there, in these days of terrorism, need to have a very serious look at security, these people could be anybody, from anywhere, planning anything!! It's just a thought!!!!

There is a lot to be said for the 'look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves' approach to life.

After reading the comments I can see that many GNs also share this philosophy. Our DS also quote it back to us!

We have never put our 'all and beyond' into a property buy. We may not live in a mansion, but what it is, is ours! x

Terribull that's a very good point. Why didn't they simply buy a property outright when they had £200,000 equity? When we sold our house and moved a couple of hundred miles south we did just that. I'd never even have considered taking out a mortgage at that age when I had the cash to buy.

People do live in aiports. There was a film starring Tom Hanks about someone who lived in Charles de Gaulle for years (I think).
However, I think he was stateless as far as I recall.

She certainly looks more immaculate than I do when I have spent time in an airport!
Perhaps they are hoping to sell the film rights.

I would be embarrassed to publicise my failings in this way.

Well exactly! Taking out another mortgage at their age was complete madness. Financial problems can happen to anyone of us, but for goodness sake, by borrowing from Peter to pay Paul just exacerbate's an already serious situation! Drawing in of horns and cutting your coat etc is the only way for peace of mind. I can't help it, but I detect a scam here!

My DH was self employed for most of our married life so we never had a set amount coming in every month, so we learned to budget, only bought things when we had the money to pay in full and the only debt we every had was a mortgage.

I feel this couple were like many, spending everything and never making provision for rainy days. As I said before, I do feel sorry for them being homeless. I gather someone has offered them accommodation for a month and the money collected for them is now over £5,000 but I do hope they also receive some advice on budgeting.