Get Lucille Home!

Hi everyone. I'm Lucille de Villiers, and I've lived in Whitby, North Yorkshire since 2003. I have two children who are both British citizens, but I still have a South African passport. I came to South Africa in August this year, with the intention of relocating here. I soon realised that living here, so far away from the children's dad and grandparents wasn't going to work for our family, and so I made the decision to return home. I only managed to have sufficient funds to buy the air tickets to Newcastle the day after my 'residence permit' for the UK expired. I knew that I would have 28 days' grace to renew the permit, but unfortunately (and quite traumatically for my 9 year old daughter) we weren't even allowed to board the plane. I sent my beautiful daughter home as an 'unaccompanied minor' in order for her to be able to go to her aunt's wedding, but sadly my son, who is 3, is too young to fly alone. This was mid-October, and she has been staying with her dad and grandparents just outside Whitby. It's now the beginning of December, and quite aside from how desperately my daughter and I are missing each other (we had previously only ever been apart for a week) my funds are diminishing rapidly. My son and I are staying in an inexpensive self-catering apartment, and I have been sending him to nursery school for half-days (any parent will appreciate how essential this is for his social and emotianal development). I am not able to work here as I don't have a South African bank account nor proof of residency (since I have not  been resident here for many years!). The visa application itself cost £85 (non-refundable) and in addition to day-to-day costs of living, it's all adding up. I would be grateful beyond comprehension for any help at all anyone could give us. My passport is currently with the British High Commission in Pretoria, and I'm awaiting their decision on whether or not to allow me a 'visitor's visa' to get home in time for Christmas. If I am granted this, I will almost certainly have to return to SA so apply for a 'settlement visa', as the 'visitor's visa' will only give me leave to be in the UK for 6 months. Any money we receive will be used to pay for our accommodation, food & neccessities, and my son's pre-school. If there is any remaining, it will be put towards my ticket back here to get my 'settlement visa'. My visa application was submitted almost a week ago, and their decision is anticipated to be made within 15 working days, so very hopefully our family will  be reunited for Christmas.
Thank you for taking the time to read this :-) xxxxxx

15 December 2015 - I have changed the monetary goal for my campaigh for two reasons: firstly, I received an email from the British High Commission today to say that "the processing of (my) application has not been straightforward and (they) are unlikely to resolve (my)application within these customer service targets", that is, 15 working days from submission. So I don't know how much longer I will have to wait for their decision, and obviously my living costs remain unchanged. Secondly, another email yesterday informed me that the personal effects of my children and mine that I had paid a great deal of money to have shipped to South Africa have finally arrived, incurring customs and storage charges here, until I am able to afford said "great deal of money" (lol!) to have them do the return shipment. I am grateful beyond comprehension for the kind, generous and breathtaking help we have received from many good, good people already, and it isn't without much thought that I have increased my target. I hope you all understand xxxxxxxxx