About the Case

Theresa Emernini, a Nigerian, is a grandmother, but now the sole carer and surrogate mother to her 6 year old grandson.  The grandson, I, was born in the UK as the son of two students, but sadly lost his father, who was legally settled in the UK, to a brain tumour just after I’s birth.

I’s mother, who is Theresa’s daughter, has herself been stranded in Nigeria since she went to visit her critically sick father in Nigeria in December 2015, and was unable to return to the UK, as she was denied return.

The boy, I, is entitled to apply for citizenship status, but Theresa has no income or resources.  I am helping her raise funds to cover the Home Office fees of applying for her grandson’s British citizenship as he is in limbo, without status now despite having lived in the UK since birth.

Vulnerable situation

The father of Theresa’s grandson, whom the child’s British citizenship application is based on, passed away in 2011. After his mother left, the grandson has been left alone in Theresa’s care since December 2015 and she has been unable to apply for his citizenship, because of funding.

 Theresa is simply not in a financial position to fund the application herself, as she is an elderly (66 years old) and is without income. She and the child have been barely surviving on minimal allowance from the local authority Children’s Services, which is based on the child and is meant for 1 person. She has a final Residence Order to live with her grandson and they both currently live together in a shared accommodation with others under Nottingham City Council. This means that Theresa has sole responsibility to care for the child until he is 18 years old. However neither Theresa nor the child has any other family in the UK to make the application for the child; she is the only person who can do it. 

How much we are raising and what it is for?

Theresa’s lawyers have estimated that the initial Home Office fees for making the application may amount to £1,500 but further costs may be incurred if the application is unsuccessful. Theresa would be very grateful to raise £2,000 contribution towards her costs. This fee will be used for the application fee and nominal legal fees of drafting the necessary application and material.. It is vital that the application is properly prepared because a refusal will leave the child stranded without status.

Please help and contribute towards Theresa’s case!