Homeless woman who lived in car with two dogs finally finds new home - in kennels

Hillary Barrows spent four months living out of her car because she refused to give up her pets to enter emergency housing

27/05/2015

Hillary Barrows, 57, who lived in her car at an ASDA carpark in Canterbury, Kent with her two dogs — VIEW GALLERY

A woman who was living in her car because she would not give up her dogs has finally found a new home - in kennels.
After spending four months sleeping in a car Hillary Barrows's new bungalow is in the middle of a ten-acre kennel and dog sanctuary.
Teacher Hillary lived out of her 20-year-old Alfa Romeo in an Asda car park in Kent - with her best friends Robbie and Cleo - after she ran out of money.
But after an appeal for help went viral last week, more than 600 people generously donated almost £10,000 to help the 57-year-old get back on her feet.

Hillary had recently returned to England after teaching in Europe for seven years. When she was unable to secure work as a private tutor, she lived off her savings and when they ran out moved into her car.

Following a flurry of local publicity, she was sitting in the McDonalds in the retail complex in Canterbury on Sunday when dog trainer Perry Sutton walked in and made her an offer she couldn't refuse.

London-born Hillary has a new home in a bungalow in the middle of a ten-acre kennel and dog sanctuary in Boughton-under-Blean near Faversham.
She said: "I can't believe it. In three days I've gone from sleeping in an Asda car park to living in a bungalow in the middle of a country kennels. It's wonderful."

Hillary Burrows, 57, who lived in her car in a car park in Canterbury with her two dogs — Dog House: When Hillary was unable to secure work as a private tutor, she lived off her savings

"My life was so miserable," she said. "If it hadn't been for Robbie and Cleo, I don't know if I would have been able to carry on.
"But now everything has turned around and I'm on top of the world. I've been here since Sunday - it's been unbelievable sleeping in a proper bed again.
"Of course, the dogs sleep on there with me, but it's brilliant. I really feel like I've won the lottery."

Of new landlord Perry Sutton, she said: "Perry walked up to me and said that he had been told about my plight.
"He's generously let me and the dogs move into a cottage in the middle of his estate, and he's even said that I can start working for him if I want.
"I couldn't believe it, he's just been so kind to me.
"Everybody has, I can't thank people enough for the generous donations or kind messages of support."
Hillary's situation arose because, unable to find work, she was ruled ineligible for benefits.

Hillary Barrows, who has now found a place to live after people donated almost £10,000 to her — New Home: Hillary has now found a place to live after people donated almost £10,000 to help her

When Canterbury City Council told her she would have to give up Robbie and Cleo to be put in emergency housing, she refused.
But now the threesome have a roof over their heads, Hillary's hoping to be able to properly restart her career as an English tutor to foreigners - as well as looking after dogs at Perry's Walkies centre.
She added: "There are loads of best bits about being in a house again, but the bed is definitely a wonderful thing.
"Also, having hot showers is brilliant. And I've finally been able to clean my car."

Hillary has vowed to spend whatever generous donations made to her GoFundMe account she does not need to help others that are in her position.
She said: "One thing that struck me is that I was not alone in my struggle.
"So many people left kind messages about wanting to help because they themselves were in the same state I was in.
"We couldn't get rid of our dogs - they are our children. So now I want to help others, as much as I can."

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Wednesday 27 May 2015