Help Heather Rebuild After Theft and Hardship

Hello, my name is Heather Williams, and I am a university student at the University of Leeds. I am reaching out for help because I am at a breaking point. On October 9th, when I arrived in Leeds to start my studies, all of my belongings were stolen within the first hour as I was picking up the keys to my flat. This included $6,000 (equivalent to about £4,500), my glasses, and my contact lenses, essential items that I now have no way to replace. Since then, I’ve been facing one challenge after another, and despite my best efforts, I am still struggling to get back on my feet.

My apartment came with barely anything except a mattress and a storage unit for clothes, which I don’t even have right now. I have monthly bills to pay and can barely afford food, let alone replace the many essentials I lost. Losing everything I owned, clothes, bedding, hygiene products, kitchen supplies, and personal items, has made it nearly impossible to settle into my new life.

The theft left me with just the clothes on my back, and I have been wearing Crocs every day. As it gets colder and the sidewalks become icy, I will need to be extremely careful not to slip. Without proper winter clothing, I won’t survive the harsh weather here.

To make matters worse, I had already arrived late to the semester due to delays in the visa process, leaving me feeling even more behind and overwhelmed. As someone from the Bahamas, I am also unaccustomed to the cold temperatures here in Leeds, which has made this situation even more difficult.

I turned to the University of Leeds for help, but their Hardship Fund denied my application, as they don’t assist with theft or fraud cases. Joblink, the university's employment service, has not been able to find me work, and LUU Essentials, which provides free items, is limited to just three items per week, barely enough to make a dent in what I’ve lost. Despite exploring every avenue of support, I feel completely abandoned in this situation.

I am self-funded, paying for my education entirely out of my own pocket. Unlike many of my peers, I don’t have the luxury of financial support from family or savings. Every penny I spend is carefully accounted for, and this theft has put me in an impossible situation.

Even with these challenges, I’ve been doing my best to focus on my studies. But without a proper living space, the basic items I need, and the means to replace my stolen glasses or buy winter clothes, it’s hard to keep going. Every day feels like a new battle, and I feel completely alone in this struggle.

I am asking for your help to rebuild my life. Your donations will go directly toward replacing my stolen items, securing essential supplies, and helping me create a sense of stability so I can continue my education. Any amount, no matter how small, would mean the world to me.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your support, whether it’s a donation, a share of this campaign, or simply a kind word, will make all the difference in helping me move forward.

P.s For the comments about the lanyard the picture is from two years ago and the lanyard was a gift from a friend. I used it to hold my keys sorry if it confused some people.

With gratitude,

Heather