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Kate Winslet donates $20K to mom struggling to pay heating bills while taking care of palsy-stricken daughter

'When I heard about the money I just burst into tears - I thought it wasn't even real,' said the mother, Carolynne Hunter, about Kate Winslet's gift

TILLICOULTRY, SCOTLAND: Kate Winslet proved to be an angel for a mother, who is facing a lot of issues due to ever-increasing energy bills to keep her cerebral palsy-hit daughter safe. Carolynne Hunter received $20,123 (£17,000) from Winslet on her GoFundMe after the actress got to know about her family’s problems via a news article. Not just that, she also contacted the family and wished them every happiness.

As per reports, Hunter’s 12-year-old daughter Freya is severely ill and requires oxygen for chronic breathing issues. The family stays in a large house to accommodate Freya's medical equipment but the place is reportedly not energy efficient. The Daily Mail reported that currently the family is paying “$7,694 (£6,500) a year to run the kit and heat the home, though Miss Hunter said she had turned the heating off in most rooms to save money.”

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But with Winslet and other people’s donations, it seems Hunter and her family will manage to afford life support for Freya for some more time. The mother reportedly said, “Our journey as 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?’”

However, Hunter is still concerned about power cuts likely to happen in winter because of gas supply shortage amid the Russia-Ukraine war. She said, “We're still freezing and we're not even at minus temperatures yet. I am nipping at the staff not to put the heating on unless it's necessary. The council has put solar panels up to help but I don't think it'll help with the bill.”

Hunter then 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.” 

Meanwhile, Winslet’s kind gesture has been widely appreciated online. A Twitter user tweeted, “That's a very lovely thing to do. It however, outrageous that the family are in this situation.” Another user wrote, “What a lovely thing to do!” The third one said, “Government and energy providers should be ashamed. Thanks Kate for your kindness ❤️.” The fourth one shared, “What a beautiful person she is ❤️.”

A person stated: “Nice to see some one caring for a change, hats off to miss wisnlet.” Another person’s tweet read: “She was incredible in Mare of East town!! Deserves an Oscar 100%!! Even better to know she did for somebody ☀️.” “Well done Kate! Its good to see examples of compassion when our politicians care more about their career and donor’s profits than the people,” another comment read as the second comment added, "Amazing, incredible gesture, but what the hell has this country come to that she needed to! Disgusting situation."

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