A DISABILITY charity has launched emergency appeal for the first time in its 60 years to help families through the cost-of-living crisis.
Sense said four out of five families living in Northern Ireland, England and Wales believe the government is not doing enough to ease pressures.
According to research carried out by Sense, the higher cost of food and energy have put 72 per cent of families with a disabled child or adult into debt, with around 40 per cent having gone without food to save money.
The emergency fund will see 1,000 families living with children or adults with complex disabilities receive a £500 grant.
Among the recipients is Josephine Armstrong from Ballyclare, whose six-year-old daughter, Paige has Mitochondrial disease. She said the grant would be used to get some heating oil and pay for electricity.
Sense chief executive Richard Kramer said the charity felt it had to "step in and set up an emergency fund to help people who are struggling now to pay for their essentials".
"We know it will make a huge difference to those who receive it, but it’s not a long-term solution, and there are many more disabled people and families across the country that need support at this time," he said.
"Everyone is affected by rising prices, but disabled households are one of the hardest hit because of their circumstances."
