Wodonga dad of six Julian Combe calls for help in Christmas cost of living crisis

A single dad of six is pleading for help, saying he doesn’t have a “cent to spare for Christmas” as the cost of living crisis hits hard.

Julian Combe (third from left) hopes to give his family the Christmas they deserve, but the cost of living crisis has impacted his plans. Picture: Supplied

A Wodonga man has spoken out on how the cost of living has impacted his life as a single dad with six kids, where he is now at risk of facing homelessness.

Julian Combe is pleading for help from his community to help him provide not just Christmas presents but a roof over the heads of his children.

Mr Combe told the Herald Sun budgeting for his family — which includes a teenager with cerebral palsy — was “crazy”.

“I budget pretty much every dollar I get — I’ve got a set menu for each night of the week for the month,” he said.

“I’ve had to swap meals around and put money away for Christmas — but I’ve had to use that up.

“At this point I really don’t know what I’ll be getting them for Christmas — even Christmas dinner or lunch — but I could probably work it out.”

Mr Combe said he spent $80 on lunch for Christmas last year.

“And those favourite leftovers, we had them for Christmas dinner so we didn’t do anything extravagant,” he said.

“I know there are a lot of people out there doing things really tough, and we are in an extremely tough situation ourselves right now where if food prices keep rising or my rent increases again, I will literally have to move out of the home we have been in for four years now just to maintain the cost of living,” Mr Combe wrote in the fundraiser.

“Where we would go, I do not know.”

Mr Combe explained he has upcoming bills that are soon to be overdue and said budgeting was a real challenge.

“Especially when it comes to shopping — two years ago, my weekly shop would come to $150 to $170 a week,” he wrote.

Mr Combe said it was now more than double those prices due to the rising costs at supermarkets.

“I am not working as it is a full-time job raising my boys on my own, and caring for a child with a disability,” he continued.

“I have not got a cent to spare for Christmas for my children.”

Mr Combe said his 11-year-old boy was turning 12 this week, which tightens his budget even more.

“Budgeting around this, we will be able to eat for four nights this week,” he wrote.

“I would like to ask if anyone would be willing to donate anything towards me being able to buy even one gift for my children — it would be greatly appreciated so much.

“I’m not looking for a hand out, just a hand up.

“Anything just to see the smile on my childrens faces this Christmas.”