They’ve Lost Their Dad- I Can’t Let Them Lose Their Home Too

My name is Amanda Conlon, but most people call me Mandy. I never imagined I’d be writing something like this — I’m doing it with shaking hands and a broken heart, because I have no other option left. I’m a mum of six, and I’m desperately trying to save my children’s home.

I’ve never asked for help before and find it incredibly difficult to do so. I have tried everything and have been praying for a miracle over the last 11months so it didn’t come to this however it hasn’t happened.

This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write, I feel exposed and vulnerable, but I also feel a mother’s determination.

I was orphaned at just 9 years old, and I’ve spent my whole life trying to build the family and home I never had. I met my partner at 16. We grew up together. My soulmate of over 20 years. He was the love of my life — my best friend, my protector, my safe place.

We worked hard to build a beautiful life for our children. They were our world — every decision we made was for them.

But last summer, everything changed in a moment.

We were having a normal morning — the sun was shining, the kids were playing. He collapsed right in front of our daughter. It was a massive stroke. He fought for 10 days in ICU, but he didn’t make it.

He was just 44. Fit. Healthy. Strong. And just like that, he was gone.

I was nine weeks pregnant with our sixth baby. He knew. We were so excited. Our youngest son was only nine months old, and we couldn’t believe we were adding another little girl to the family.

Our family had already endured so much — my partner had lost both of his parents in the five years before. Now my children have no grandparents to support them, no extended family to lean on.

I still can’t find the words for what it felt like to stand there holding my children while telling them their daddy was never coming home. I still hear their cries at night. I still can’t believe this is real life.

Now I’m here, I’ve given birth to our youngest daughter without him by my side. A single mum with six children — three of them under the age of 3. I have a newborn baby in my arms, and I’m trying to hold everyone together with no partner, no parents, no grandparents for my children.

To make things worse, his life insurance had lapsed. The mortgage was solely in his name. The mortgage company have said the mortgage needs to be closed by August, this means the mortgage needs to be completely paid or they’ll repossess the house, I cannot transfer it into my name and no mortgage lender will consider a mortgage as I’m not in a financial position to remortgage — this is the only home my children have ever known.

We will lose our home. And I have nothing left to give but this plea.

I can’t work full time right now — I’m home with three babies under three, doing every feed, every bath, every sleepless night alone. And at the same time, I’m trying to grieve a man I can’t even begin to live without.

People say “time heals” but they don’t see what grief looks like when you have children who still expect Daddy to walk through the door.

My 3-year-old still wakes in the night crying for him.

My 8-year-old keeps asking why can’t he come back.

My teenage daughter is terrified I might die next.

My eldest daughter spends her days tending to his grave, turning it into a garden of love whilst also having the pressure of not knowing if we will lose our family home.

They’ve already lost their dad. Please — don’t let them lose their home too.

I am asking for help, not for me but for my children

I know it’s a lot…

but If I can raise £200,000, I can save this house. The house their dad built for them. The house with his tools still in the shed and the walls he painted.

This isn’t just a house. This is our life. Our memories. Their stability. Their safe place. Their friends. Their school. Their bedroom lights and bedtime stories and Sunday mornings on the sofa.

If we are unable to raise the full amount, any funds will be used to relocate. That is the reality we’re facing — moving from everything we’ve ever known, into the unknown.

I know everyone is struggling right now. But if this touches you, if you’ve ever lost someone, if you’re a parent, if you just believe no child should go through this — I’m asking from the depths of my soul…

Please help me save my children’s home.

Whether you can donate, share, or say a prayer for us — thank you. You are giving me the only hope I have left.

With all my heart,

Mandy