For over 20 years Maria Stanton cared for malnourished infants and their mothers, but in her 80s she ended up malnourished herself, with a no pension, and no prospects in South Africa, far away from her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the UK.

We managed to pay for her to come over to England where her health has dramatically improved but now the Home Office want to send her back to a bleak existence, cut off from her family. Her application for UK Residence has been refused without appeal and we need your help to overturn this in Court. Please help us to serve a deserving old lady who has spent her life serving others.

Case Background

My family financed my elderly mother, Maria Stanton - 81 years old - to visit me in the UK in July 2017. She lived all her life in South Africa, although I, her eldest daughter, my 4 children and three grandchildren have lived in the UK for the past 16 years. One of 14 children, my mom now only has two remaining siblings, 97 and 79 years old, both frail and in care themselves. Maria was living in fear of her life and eating only bread with oxo cubes the week before she came. 

She has gained about 15 kg since being here, her health has improved and her stress levels reduced dramatically- the difference is clear to see in the photos.

Chronic asthma is shown to be stress-related and whereas she was having attacks every 3 weeks, she has not had one attack since October 2017. 

We applied via Trent Chambers and Immigration Centre, Nottingham, to the Home Office for permission for her to remain and heard two weeks ago they have declined her application, with no right to appeal. The Barrister is preparing to take this to Judicial Review, but we do not have the funds to take this to Court for a Judge to consider. I work in Children's Social Care and have since prior to coming to this country. I understand abuse and neglect and would be guilty of elder abuse if I did not do all in my power to fight for my mother to remain with her eldest daughter and grandchildren for the remaining years of her life. I was very moved to see on the BBC News, 2 days after we heard the outcome, an 81-year old Jamaican woman being reunited with her family in London, following the ‘Windrush’ scandal, such a hot topic in the UK at present. This lady’s son spoke about how worried he had been with her being in Jamaica for the past 8 years, having been declined the right to return, and how ill she had been with the family powerless to assist her in a meaningful way. I thought to myself: “I could say all of those things about MY mom!”

Why does this case matter? 

This case is important, not only to us who are personally involved, but also in the wider scheme of things, considering the current political climate and the impact of such decisions on family reunification and the Home Office hostile environment policy - a set of administrative and legislative measures designed to make staying in the United Kingdom as difficult as possible for people without leave to remain. I am therefore asking for assistance, from you, at this crucial time in the case and inviting you to have the opportunity to take action in whatever way you can. 

How much are we raising and why?

We need £3000 to progress in Court. If this story touches you in any way, your contribution would be gratefully accepted. We need your support, so please contribute! All it takes is your willingness to play a role. No amount is too small. And please share the link from this page via your social media networks. THANK YOU for taking the time to read and consider our campaign. Leslie-Ann Gibson