How Does Living Below The Line Impact Every Part Of Our Lives?

Last week thousands of people across the UK lived on less than £1 a day for food for the week - a far bigger challenge than it first sounds as Richard explained to us last week. One of our wonderful Ambassadors, Sue, shares her daily diary of what it was like to fight through the hunger pangs and remember that for millions of people it's not a choice, but a way of life.

By Sue Tinney, World Vision UK Sponsor Ambassador

Day One

I was anxious on Sunday evening wondering how I would get on over the forthcoming days, but strangely I didn’t feel too bad in the morning and up to lunch time, but from then on, it was a struggle.

I pushed the time for my supper out to 7.30 pm which would make the evening shorter but I did go to bed early, just after having my 3rd digestive biscuit, my treat for the evening.   

Day Two

A reasonable start, but flagged just after lunch, and, as yesterday, the afternoon was difficult. 

Adopted the same stance for my evening meal too and an early night.  However, a tremendous boost to morale, as donations have reached £315.  I am so close now to my target of £400 with still some donations to come in.  I am amazed at the response I have had from everyone and I'm so grateful.

Day Three

Not a good night’s sleep last night.

I have come to realise how little freedom of choice I have this week in what I eat on £5. Although I have planned my meals, it is restrictive and has brought with it the realisation that those less fortunate than ourselves have no freedom of choice, they are making tough decisions on how to live on their £1 per day.

The weather is wonderful today, sunshine, blue sky and warm, so I decided to take myself off and walk the country lane down to the shoreline and back home.  The peace, stillness, the birds singing, bluebells, cow-parsley, wild primroses, past the duck ponds, swan sitting on her nest, all of which lifted my spirits but also made me realise how lucky I am to live where I do, no conflict, no warzones, and no problems with feeding myself. 

Now well over half-way through and checked out my meal for tonight – rice, one sardine and flavoured with a couple of desert spoons of tomato pesto.  My supplies are holding up so I have judged well, and will have nothing left over. 

Day Four

I am really feeling it - tired and difficult to concentrate.

Woke at 05:00 this morning with hunger pangs but on hearing the dawn chorus in full flow, marvelled at the beauty of the natural world.  I held off going to make a mug of boiled water and eat one digestive biscuit as this would mean nothing this afternoon.

It brought home to me how the decision I had just made is made by the needy across the globe every day and how stressful this is.

Although one is aware of the plight of others, undertaking this challenge has opened up my mind even more - what I am doing with people's fantastic support is making a difference, however, small.

Today I have received another £55 and can't quite express my gratitude for the support, and to those who are still to make their donations, you will be making a difference, and it is looking very likely that I will overshoot my target of £400.

Day Five

I am feeling rather tired now, still not been sleeping well and it has been a very long week, stressful too.

This challenge has made me realise just how much freedom I have in my 'normal day-to-day life' and how much food is available to me. It has also brought home to me how much of an impact food has on almost every aspect of my life, and yours too, and the difficult decisions facing the 1.2 billion poor people have to make every day – eg medicine for a sick child or food, or feeling tired but having to walk 5 kilometres to fetch water.

My week is nearly over and tomorrow marks the return to freedom of choice.  With everyone's support I have made it and have almost reached my target, and for this I am very grateful. As of today, there are still some donations to come in and it is looking extremely likely that I will overshoot my target of £400!!

The photo above is of my main evening meal rice, shredded cabbage and chick peas, I did add in a sardine one night just to vary the flavour!

I managed to apportion the tin of beans and chickpeas, rice and cabbage across each day and have nothing left. 5 bananas and a large pot of yoghurt was my daily breakfast and lunch was a poached egg with a few beans. My total food bill for the week was £4.96.

What have I missed most, a proper fresh coffee, made even harder by watching my husband have one with his lunch every day whilst I had boiled tap water!

The Day After

On waking this morning I did not feel the slightest bit hungry and although I had been looking forward to coffee and a croissant for breakfast, I didn't have the excitement nor expectation I thought I would have.

Unpacking the supermarket shop last evening with my husband I commented on the cost of the pack of green beans - £2.50 - that was half my food allowance for last week!!

I have learnt and experienced a lot from this challenge and although it has been tough it has been an achievement in that with your help and support we have been able to help others less fortunate than ourselves.

We're delighted to be able to add that Sue has now passed her fundraising target and hit £500 - well done, Sue! And a huge thanks to everyone else who took part or donated to someone who did. If you want to donate to Sue you still can, just click here or leave her a message in the comments below.