Ricky and Naomi Willis, from Hull, lived on less than £1-a-day after both losing their jobs within months. They struggled to afford food after racking up debts on payday loans and credit cards. Now they want to help others.
Their troubles began when Ricky lost his job as a machine operator at a printing firm and the following year Naomi lost her job in insurance.
With no money coming in, they quickly accumulated £43,000 in payday loan, credit card and catalogue debt.
Things came to a head when their car and fridge freezer broke down in the same week, wiping out their remaining savings, and adding to their deb pile.
Ricky says: “We knew the repayments would eat up everything, but had no choice. It just kept spiralling from there.”
The family of four hit rock bottom when Ricky realised they had to live on less than £1-a-day. “We drew up a list and feeding our two daughters Daniella and Chloe was top, then nappies as Chloe was still a baby. Us eating came third.”
Ricky, now 42, went to bed that night and cried. “I felt like I had let my family down.”
Ricky and Naomi, 37,…
