Kate Winslet donates £17,000 to mother raising child with cerebral palsy

12 November 2022, 21:29 | Updated: 12 November 2022, 21:34

Kate Winslet has given £17,000 to a mother struggling to raise her cerebral palsy-stricken daughter amid rocketing energy bills.

Carolynne Hunter, 49, said she "didn't believe" the Titanic actress had really made the immense donation.

The Central Scotland mother, who lives in a council house, was warned by the council that due to her daughter's specific needs, her energy bill could run into the tens of thousands.

Last year it was £6,500 - and this year was predicted to hit £17,000, Clackmannanshire Council told her.

Carolynne said she already keeps the heating off in most rooms just to be able to keep her daughter's electronic equipment powered.

Freya Hunter - #energycrisis

Within days of BBC Scotland reporting on the shocking notice, Winslet and her family had made the incredible donation.

Carolynne said: "Our journey as a family has been very traumatic and I just feel done at this point in my life.

"When I heard about the money I just burst into tears - I thought it wasn't even real. I'm still thinking is this real?"

She added: "I didn't speak out to get donations but at the same time I have to make sure that Freya is OK.

"I'm going to be helped but what about everyone else? I wanted the government to pay for it and do the right thing - it shouldn't have to be a celebrity that steps in."

Ms Hunter's GoFundMe campaign for daughter Freya states: "Despite campaigning publicly for the past 7 months about how detrimental the increase in energy prices are for my 12 year old Daughter Freya living with severe complex health needs who requires a high level of nursing support and equipment at home, the UK and Scottish Government have failed to acknowledge my pleas for appropriate support to be put in place to prevent a Healthcare Crisis for my family."